Our two tiger cubs!

         

Yes those two cubs were very very dear to us.

It all began, one day,when our father Kamal Kumar Deb called us downstairs.It was Sunday and our schools were closed.We, most of the time, stayed on the first floor while our father preferred the ground floor.We used to look from the veranda when somebody came to visit father.

There was a 'Pakhiwalla' (one who sell birds) who often brought beautiful birds to impress father.He was well aware of father's weakness over birds.His name was 'Gani' and he came from a Bird Market near New Market, 

Calcutta .Father often picked us from school and asked our driver Kesto to inform Gani , while the car stood opposite 'karco restaurant.'.Soon Gani would come running with folded hands and a big smile.

So, as I was saying - it was a Sunday and Gani was there.This time we noted a much bigger cage that was covered from all sides. Father nodded at Gani and without wasting any time, he immediately brought out two little cubs- sorry tiger cubs !

The cubs started mewing like cats. Gani explained that they were hungry and requested for some milk. Father ordered Bhortu (servant) to serve the milk. From that very day it became the duty of Bhortu to look after the cubs.

He immediately began to build a big wooden cage with iron railings. It was father's strict order to release the cubs in the morning and put them back in the evening.

Hence the little ones were fed & freed exactly at 8 AM.Their cage was around 5 ft x 5 ft x 4 ft all sides wooden exept the front which was made of strong iron railings.They showed a lot of excitement while roaming, running and playing with each other near the Baburchi Khana.It is to be noted that our house has two iron gates-a front and a back one.The Baburchi Khana gate was considered as the back one and usually remains closed.The cook -as far as I could remember -came twice a week since he also worked for Calcutta's famous Grand Hotel .Often the cubs became adventures and proceeded towards my father's drawing room.Father, too, used to serve them with few titbits and proudly introduced them to his friends.

(To be continued)