Fear takes flight in Breezy Forest

The denizens of the jungle realise that they must overcome their secret fears before they take on the wily poachers

Great danger loomed over Breezy Forest. Early this morning, two poachers had laid a trap to capture Lion, the king of the jungle. Poachers are inhuman people who capture innocent animals to satisfy their own greedy interests.

It was Rabbit who first alerted Lion about the trap. The bait was a little lamb that lived in the adjoining village. The two men had tied her to a mahua tree, laid the trap and left. The lamb had recognised them instantly as Kalloo and Bhanu. The duo worked as blacksmiths in the same village, but the village folk had always suspected that they concealed a more sinister identity.

It was Acro the Koel who had heard the lamb’s bleating and pecked at the rope to free her. Lion and Rabbit set out together towards the mahua tree. Along the way, Lion picked up Hylo the Monkey, Aqua the Frog, and Rizo the Deer. Lion had a plan and he needed them to carry it out.

At the mahua tree, Acro greeted them and said, “I have freed Lamb. Without her as bait, the poachers’ trap is useless.”

“Merely setting Lamb free is not enough,” said Lion. “What we really need to do is give those poachers a proper scare. That should keep them away not only from Breezy Forest, but from the creatures of other forests as well.”

The animals nodded in agreement. Lion started issuing orders. “Hylo, gather all the monkeys and squirrels. Rizo, bring all the animals from the northern part of the forest.
Aqua, collect the crocodiles from the river. Acro, round up all the birds. I will seek out the animals from the southern part of the forest. We’ll meet here again before sunset.”

Lion turned to leave, but none of the animals budged. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you going to move?” asked Lion.

The animals hesitated. Finally, Acro broke the awkward silence. “I’m terrified of heights. I have never flown over trees for fear of falling down. How will I bring the birds together?”
Hylo too looked at Lion with embarrassment. “And I am terrified of trees. Even being close to one unnerves me. How will I reach the squirrels and monkeys?” he wailed.

Lion turned to Aqua. “I’m terrified of water, Lion. How will I hop into the river and give your message to the crocodiles?”

Rizo too blurted out her fear. “I am terrified of wild animals. I swoon at the very sight of wolves and tigers. How will I ever speak to them?”

Lion was astonished. “How can you worry about your personal fears when the safety of our forest friends is at risk?” he roared. It was Acro who finally saw the point. “Okay, I’ll do it.” He flapped his wings nervously.

Lion looked at him. “You needn’t be afraid of heights, Acro. Your wings will never let you down. Trust yourself!” Encouraged, Acro flew up. He was clumsy at first, then confidence energised his wings. He disappeared from view in search of the other birds.

Lion focused his gaze on Hylo. “What are you waiting for?” he asked, sternly. “Trees are your home. You can’t survive being away from them forever.”

Hylo knew his fear was no excuse for inaction. He touched the mahua tree warily then began to climb it. The higher he went, the braver he felt. Trees were not monsters; they would not harm him. Hylo soon disappeared into the distance, calling out to the other monkeys.

Lion looked pleased. Rizo and Aqua did not wait to be reprimanded. In fact, they had known all along that their fears were unfounded. It’s just that they never had the courage to overcome their fright. Now, with Lion’s mission before them, Rizo sprinted towards the northern part of the forest and Aqua hopped away towards the river.

By sunset, the animals had gathered around the mahua tree. And just in time too, for Acro signalled the arrival of Kalloo and Bhanu. “Be loud, be noisy. Let’s give them a scare they’ll never forget,” roared Lion.

The creatures of Breezy Forest charged at the poachers. Kalloo and Bhanu had not expected such an attack! They scampered away like frightened kittens. What happened to them, no one knows. But thereafter the animals lived in peace and quiet. And Hylo, Acro, Rizo and Aqua never harboured another fear for as long as they lived.

The koel, monkey, frog, and deer suffered unnatural fears called phobias. Could you name their phobias? If you already know the answers, give yourself a hi-five. If you don’t, you could ask your parents, or take their permission to look up “phobias” on www.wikipedia.com for the answers. (Psst... the animals’ names are a huge clue!)