What would you do if you came across a leopard
with its head stuck in a metal water pot? Perhaps you
and your friend would run to help the poor animal.
Friend: “I’ll grab the pot and pull. You grab the
leopard and pull.”
You: “No, you grab the leopard, I’ll grab the pot.”
Perhaps you wouldn’t run to help the poor animal,
but would instead whip out your cellphone and call
wildlife officials to help. That would be a smart thing to
do, wouldn’t it?
Well, some villagers in Rajasthan did indeed come
across a leopard with its head stuck in a water pot recently.
And they did what people tend to do these days:
they pulled out their cellphones and took photos and
video of the animal in distress.
Villager: “I’m going to put this on Facebook. My
friends won’t believe it.”
Second villager: “Facebook? That’s so small-minded
of you. I’m going to sell the video to a TV network for
one lakh. It’s not every day that you see a leopard with
its head stuck in a pot.”
Third villager: “You two are so uncaring! Can’t you
spare a thought for the poor leopard? He must have been
really thirsty to put his head into a water pot like that.
And just imagine what he’s thinking now. ‘Someone
help me! My head suddenly feels very heavy, I’ve lost
my eyesight, and I’m hearing lots of clicking sounds.’”
The leopard spent five hours with the metal
pot around its head, according to a Reuters report.
Thankfully, someone in the village of Sardul Kheda
called for help. Forestry department workers
showed up, tranquilized the leopard and removed
the pot from its head. The leopard was moved to a
safe enclosure and examined by a veterinarian, who
declared that it had been “fully cured of utensilitis.”
None of India’s cabinet ministers would
comment on the incident, partly because they
weren’t sure whose jurisdiction it fell under:
the Minister of State for Environment, Forest,
and Climate Change or the Minister of State for
Drinking Water and Sanitation.
As far as I’m concerned, it should fall under
the latter. Animals, just like humans, need safe
drinking water. They shouldn’t have to put their
heads in strange objects to quench their thirst.
Many years from now, the leopard incident
may be turned into a children’s tale, with a little
embellishment:
Once upon a time, there was a very thirsty
leopard. All the streams and rivers were dry, so
he sent his wife to get some water from a nearby
village. “The humans keep their water in metal
pots,” he told her.
“How will I bring the water back?” she asked.
“Just bring back the whole pot.”
“How will I carry the pot?”
“Use your head. Haven’t you seen how humans do
it? They balance it on their heads.”
“Okay, I’ll try.”
The leopardess went to the village and found a water
pot that was unguarded. But when she looked inside,
it didn’t seem to have any water. Luckily there was
a helpful crow nearby. “The pot isn’t empty,” the crow
said. “There’s a little water at the bottom. You just can’t
see it.”
“How should I get the water?” the leopardess asked.
“Should I drop some stones inside until the water
comes up?”
“No,” said the crow. “Just stick your head in, as deep
as it will go. Not only will you reach the water, you will
be able to carry the pot home over your head.”
The trusting leopardess put her head in the pot. She
didn’t find any water there and her head got stuck.
“Please help me, Mr. Crow,” she said.
“In a minute,” the crow said, laughing. “First I want
to take some photos, so I can post them on Facebook.”
Moral of the story: Use your head, but don’t lose
your head.
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