Juno and the Loggers III

Bharat the Badger was in a foul mood. The rains had washed away the sette that he had built upstream and his mind was now occupied about his own security. Ofcourse being a seasoned member of the Animal Council he had always put the safety and security of his jungle dwellers before his own.

Juno found Bhrat the Badger ripping out a large fish and was eating the fish with relish. "Call a meeting of the Jungle Kingdom" said Juno even as he twitched his nose at the stench of the fish the the Defence Minister was eating with obvious gusto. "OK" said Bharat the Badger and he sent a team of badgers scurrying to different parts of the Jungle with the message that all the animals were to assemble near the clearing near the Old Fort.

The news was received by the animals with all signs of alarm., A meeting near the Old Fort could only mean danger and the animals huddled in groups discussing the possible reasons for calling an emergency meeting. Henry the Hyena sensed an opportunity to gain power and amass some wealth. He always spoke up for the cannine sections of the jungle kingdom claiming that he was their sole spokesman. Karadi the Prime Minister was aware that Henry the Hyena sometimes threw his lot with the non-hoofed and non-clawed animals claiming with all vehemence at this command that the non-hoofed and non-clawed animals were the "backward animals" and he represented their interests.

Juno the Jackal was wary of Henry the Hyena especially as he had the ability to present himself as the protector of the weak and defenceless animals and the Hyena had courted the elephants, the tortoises, the rodents with great sincereity and he always turned up at important meeting in a convoy of jeeps driven by a variety of rodents.

Juno and the Loggers II

Juno decided to walk to Karadi's cave which was located near the far end of the Jungle. Three security guards sttod around the cave and slauted Juno smartly as he tugged the heavy chain that rang the bell deep inside the cave. After some time Juno heeard the sound of Karadi bestirring himself. The heavy door swung open and a visibly disturbed Karadi came out, his frown dissoving into a faint smile as he saw Juno.

"Juno" he said, "it must be something really important".
"Yes".

"There has some strage goings-on in the Jungle", said Juno, with a swish of his tail.
"Give me the details", said Karadi rubbing his eyelids and smoothening down his matted coat.

"Humans have occupied a part of our Kingdom and they have invaded with heavy earth moving equipment", replied Juno the Jackal. "I think we must take stock of the situation and then respond".

"Call a meeting of the Jungle Kingdom. Let us meet at the clearing near the Old Fort and decide our strategy".

When Juno heard this, he felt releived as collective wisdom of the Jungle Kingdom will prevail over individual choice.

Juno set off as fast as his legs could carry him to the house of Bharat the Badger, who was the Minister for Jungle Affairs and was responsible for the security of the Jungle Kingdom