This is the story of a donkey who had risen to unbelievable fame.
It all began quite accidentally. One fine morning, the humble donkey strayed into a circus tent attracted by the stockpile of hay and grass. Little did he know that he was close to the cages of wild animals. Even before he got a glimpse of the place, a man appeared from nowhere with a big stick in hand and was about to hit him hard. The donkey froze in fear. His usual donkey-instinct would have angered the man further. But something flashed in his mind – he leaned backward stretching his front legs and bowed in submission – an act of surrender he had seen among weak, stray dogs. That unusual behaviour amused the man. The donkey stayed unmoved like a statue. ‘This ass looks special; it may be a good addition to the circus animals. Let me speak to the manager’ – said the man and threw the stick away.
In the beginning, the donkey was trained to perform a funny act with a dwarf clown. The dwarf would make unsuccessful attempts to climb the donkey’s back while the donkey would jump in jerks to make it difficult. Every time the clown fell, the crowd would burst into laughter. And finally, the donkey would bend for the dwarf to mount on his back in triumph. The crowd would clap in appreciation as the donkey would bow before them repeatedly before running backstage.
The donkey was a fantastic discovery for the circus. He picked up new tricks and started participating in dare devil performances, some of them with the ferocious lion. Soon the donkey became the darling of the circus, a star!. He too was enjoying his new-found life, assured food supply and growing popularity. He would often bow in gratitude before Raju, the first soul he had met inside the circus when he trespassed into the tent. Raju had lovingly named him Bitu. Both had connected to each other in an emotional bond. The donkey from a remote village had acquired a respectful identity.
It was no more a donkey’s life!
The good times did not last long. As authoirties banned use of wild animals in circus, the crowd thinned and business declined. Few monkeys, parrots and a donkey could hardly make up for the elephants and lions in the shows. At last, it was Bitu’s turn to be jettisoned. Bitu was sold to Agadhu – a person known to Raju as a fellow villager. As Bitu walked out of the tent, Raju whispered to Agadhu, ‘Please take care of our sweet Bitu. Remember, he is not an ordinary donkey’.
The world outside was tougher – a donkey did not receive applauds for any reason.
Bitu joined a drove of donkeys in Agadhu’s backyard. The new job had no excitement for a performer like Bitu. Along side fellow donkeys, Bitu had to carry pilgrims on his back to a temple located at the hill-top. The path was rough and steep. It was real hard work with inadequate food, and of course cruel punishment received at the drop of a hat. Months passed – the glitters of lights and music of the circus were a distant memory.
One day, while carrying an old pilgrim on his back, Bitu got immersed in his thoughts remembering his debut act in the circus with the clown. Without his knowledge, he jumped in a jerk as if he was playing with the circus clown. He realised his mistake only when the old pilgrim fell precarioously and his master started hitting him mercilessly.
Bitu lost the job and his home. ‘A circus donkey could never be trusted’ said Agadhu while driving him away angrily. Bitu was sad and disappointed – he cursed himself and wandered aimlessly without food and rest. He had no idea what was in store for him. He drank from the river nearby and slept under a tree. Next morning as he was trying to gather himself, he realized that the place looked familiar. Years ago, he had led his juvenile friends on an adventurous trip from their village to this part of the world! It was indeed fun that time!! His eyes glowed with hope as he tried to lick the wounds on his body.
Bitu reached his village after walking a marathon. His joy knew no bounds as he thanked his luck. ‘Life is after all a circle ….. I am back where I started’ – he told himself.
However, no one can guess life’s surprises. Bitu was an unwelcome entratnt into the community of donkeys. Instead of a hero’s welcome, Bitu received idifference and agreesion. No one showed any interest in knowing where he had disappeared few years ago. The power equation in the community had changed. He was ridiculed and drawn into brawls. Bitu had no strength to withstand such challenges. He was already groaning with worsening injuries all over his body, thanks to Agadhu and his men. He limped away from the village into a life of solitude. He got used to intimidation from all sorts of animals, who came in his way. Days passed as he was getting too weak even to stand.
One day, Bitu was lying lifeless near the river. He hardly had strenghth to breathe. Who would believe that this destitute was once a great performer and entertained the intelligent human kind. The hot wind of the summer was hitting on the face; the dust around was making him gasp for breath. He saw a donkey staring at him from a distance perhaps with sympathy – could it be the beginning of a truce? Could it be another call for a fight till he stood no more?
Bitu looked the other way. He felt as if someone was approaching from a distance – in the dusty hot air, the hazy creature looked like a human figure. Bitu was no more interested in anything; he wanted to die and end the ordeal. But as the human figure closed in, Bitu heard a familiar voice calling out his name. It was Raju! As they met each other, tears rolled down Bitu’s eyes uncontrollably. Bitu tried to sit in the posture of surrender as he had done on the first day when he had met Raju inside the circus tent. Raju hugged him and sobbed.
Raju sat by Bitu’s side and told his story – how the circus had folded up forcing him to return to his village and how he was worried for Bitu after speaking to Agadhu. Bitu did not understand a word, but was feeling the warmth of love. He discovered some strength within and brayed loudly – perhaps he was trying to validate his own existence. The other donkey staring at Bitu all this while, ran away. Bitu placed his head on Raju’s lap – both sat there for hours.
Few months later, Raju was seen making roadside shows for a living with his companion, Bitu. Those were few tricks Bitu had learnt in the circus that amused the crowd. Bitu had become a part of Raju’s family. Was it a donkey’s life for Bitu and Raju?
Manoranjan Mishra 