My squeaky pet

Seven-year-old Raju wanted to visit his village to spend the vacation with his beloved Grandma and Grandpa.His Amma had narrated the panoramic beauty of the village and he was now eager to visit the place for the first time. Raju's appa was busy with his new found job at the bank,rarely thought of visiting his parents living far away from the city.His wife had suggested of bringing her parents-in law to the city as travelling to and fro seemed impossible amidst a busy working schedule.

The village was located close to a dense forest.They have to travel uphill to reach their house. "If you have a long vacation,you can think of visiting your grandparents and your cousins",said Raju's father.They planned to travel by train and a jeep to go uphill.Raju grew excited at the thought of travelling by train.Exams were nearing and Amma was keen on making him score full marks.Raju obeyed whatever his parents told so as to ensure,"we are going to travel by train during holidays,sure Amma,"

Raju did score full marks that term and his teacher called his mother and congratulated for all the efforts.

The time has come to prepare for the journey to grandma's home.The joy of boarding a train thrilled Raju.They had to make arrangements with the security guard at home to take care of their home in their absence.Raju could watch all along scenery or play word games or sing songs or mobile games as he wished.

They reached the destination after a thoroughly enjoyable journey of sharing and chatting with yet another family who travelled with them.After the fun and frolic in the train,Raju was tired yet possessed abundant enthusiasm to board a jeep to reach their house.On the way the jeep suddenly stopped due to a damaged rear wheel .The road was closer to a jungle and everybody inside the car got down to relax in the fresh air as Raju's appa fixed the problem with the help of a passerby.

There was little noise other than the chirping of few birds in the distance. Raju heard a squeaking noise of a little creature beside the shrub along the road, he walked silently towards the squeaky noise to find a very young brown squirrel trying its best to move around with an injured leg. He took the feeble creature in his hands and observed carefully."Raju, Where are you?"amma shouted in the distance searching for him everywhere"Raju,why don't you obey,it's getting late,we must reach home before evening"

Raju ran to the car hiding his tender friend in his hands.He begged his appa to take little squeaky home."Squirrels cannot become pets"his dad repeated to him innumerable times.

The tiny squirrel, an unwelcome guest in the car started squeaking again that sought sympathy from everyone. Raju managed to give some water and fragments of food to quieten his little friend.

"I am trying to rescue this little creature from those wild cats.I will protect until it recovers"said Raju. The car moved on towards his grandparents traditional house that was surrounded by green fields in the distance on top of the mountain.The uphill journey was comfortable with the arrival of a new companion.

By sunset they reached the village house.Having waited anxiously the grand parents were in utmost joy to see their children.The new friend of Raju also received a warm welcome.

Raju's joy knew no bounds as he saw his grandparents huge house. He ran around the house exploring every corner and finally to the garden holding the new found pet in his hands which refused to get down or move away from him.

"I am going to find a small cardboard box and place my little squeaky to guard from any danger"he told his grandmother and ran to the backyard."oh,Raju ,it's not a toy

A week had gone by and squeaky grew stronger,able to walk yet unwilling to go away.Everyone except grandma complained of keeping a squirrel as a pet.

Both his cousins were excited. They brought enough food and water for the pet.Two months ago ,an injured bird came to the garden and they had taken good care of it. "The bird was a pigeon , flew away at dawn."his cousin said with a sad face.

Two more weeks to go and Raju will be left with just a weekend too little a time to manage all the holiday homework before he returns to school.

Last week of vacation is fast approaching and he finally made up his mind to return all that he received from nature.He told his mom,"I want to see squeaky go out to the trees happily on its own and explore the garden"His Uncle had told him that it was not permitted by law to rear wild squirrel as a pet.

Everybody was surprised and happy to see Raju change his mind.

Raju planned to hold on till the last day of the vacation.He felt a sense of sadness come over him.His cousins too felt the same"I will let you go to the trees and find your own food squeaky dear,I shall see you in next vacation"a feeling of loss and loneliness struck him.The thought of going back to school bored him.He sat sleepless to invent an idea to take his pet with him.He let go off the squirrel with a heavy heart on the last day of the vacation.He took the little pet that has slightly developed strength to crawl on the trees.The little friend took a glance of the whole tree felt frightened and lost made quick turn to climb on to Raju's hand.

The pride of saving a wild squirrel thrilled him,he bid goodbye to his aunt ,uncle,cousins and thatha,Patti not the squirrel anyway.."Raju,you can bring him along ,we shall take care"These words from his appa made him jump in joy .