Champak Oct(Second)09

Detective

Story

Special

October (Second) 2009 Rs 15.00

SS..MMaalllliicckk

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VISHWA NATH1917-2002

OCTOBER (SECOND) 2009NO. 769

STORIESCOUNTRY BUMPKIN 4SONIT'S SPYING 8BANK ROBBERY 14THEFT IN THE

COMPANY 22SECRET OF SKULLS 28VICTORY OF CHINTOO 37SNAG IN HELICOPTER 52CHHUK CHHUK

EXPRESS 60INTERESTING NEWS 70

SECRET OF DAMDAMAHOUSE 75

HAWKER, THE GANG MEMBER 79

PICTURE STORIESCHEEKU 44GRANDPA AND SNAIL 64

YOUR PAGECHAMPAK CHEKERS 41IT IS FUNTIME 48WHO AM I? 59

Detective Stories Special

BUNTY BEAR and hisfamily spent a fewdays at their relative’s

house at Madhuvan. Whilereturning to Champakvan,they brought Meeku Rabbitalong with them, as heagreed to serve them as theirdomestic help. Poor Meekuhad never in his life moved

by Shantha Nagarajan

Country BumpkinCountry Bumpkin

out of his hamlet in Mathuvan where he was born and brought up. So, for Meeku it was his first journey by train. No wonder, he was full of excitement during the journey. It was funwatching his stupid acts and listening to hischildish talk.

As soon as they boarded the train, thewonderstruck Meeku exclaimed, “Oh my god, thistrain is so long! Bunty saab, tell me, are the othercoaches also going to the same station? What aboutthe next coach? To which place is it going?” Buntyand the others burst into laughter.

“Fool, all the coaches are connected to each other. How can each one go to a different place?”

As the train started running faster, Meekushrieked, “Saab, how strange are the things outside— the huts, trees, shops, everything is moving.”

There was a roar of laughter in the compart-ment.

Bunty explained, “Stupid fellow, when we are ina moving train the trees and all the things outsideus will appear to be moving in the oppositedirection but they are not actually moving.”

Bunty’s sons — Billu Bear and Chillu Bear —were amused by the very sight of the clownish

villager. “Papa, how are we going to manage this stone

age creature? He is so ignorant.”Meeku watched everything in wonder — the call

phones, the walkmans with which Bunty waslistening to music, the colourful stalls in thestations.

Billu and Chillu enjoyed his comical expres-October (Second) 2009 5

sions and taunted him as a good for nothing fellow.

In the night, to everyone’s amusement, Meekuspread a dirty towel on the floor to lie down.

“Hey Meeku, why are you lying here? Go up. The upper berth is for you,” Bunty liftedhim.

“Saab, in the hut I have always slept on the mudfloor. I never slept on a cot or a cushioned cot.”

“Ugh! That is not cot, that is sleeper birth. Wehave paid for it.”

With trembling legs, he climbed up. But lo, inthe midnight, when everyone was asleep, Meeku,who used to roll in the mud floor at home, did thesame in the upperberth. Thud! He felldown and hurt the legof Bunty’s wife whowas lying in the lowerberth.

Oh! There was acommotion. Meeku,who was hurt, startedweeping. The rest ofthe night, he lay on thefloor.

“Papa, what sort ofcountry bumpkin wehave brought alongwith us? He will be ofno use to us. Thejunglee is unfit forworking in ourhouse,” Chillumuttered.

“Oh! His muddy chappal and running nose aresickening. Send the fool back to his hamlet,” Billuadvised.

The train was nearing Champakvan station. Itwas raining heavily. They learnt from thepassengers that Champakvan had been flooded dueto continuous rain. They were correct.

When the train reached Champakvan, theycould not step out of the station, as the whole areawas flooded.

“Oh! It is dangerous to step into the deep water.We cannot go home.”

While Bunty Bear and the others were

wondering what to do, Meeku suddenly dived intothe water. “Saab, floods are not new to me. We areused to a hard life, we know how to overcomehardships. We, in the hamlet cross the river daily toreach the other side. So, do not worry. I shall helpyou.”

Meeku looked around. He suddenly dived intothe water and swam a little distance. He saw a logof wood floating some distance away. After a search he got 2 wooden poles. Hurray, Meeku sat onthe wooden float and rowed it using the poles asoars.

One by one Bunty and his family reached thenearby taxi stand with the help of the float, rowedby Meeku.

Billu and Chillu who ridiculed and condemnedMeeku as a good for nothing bumpkin, weredumbstruck by the courage, skill and presence ofmind of their new servant.

When they reached home, Bunty patted Meekuthankfully. He said, “Sons, the ignorant

jungle folks too have skills. We may know all aboutgadgets, machines and modern life but often we donot know how to deal with life’s problems. Thesesimple folks, who live a hard life, manage thembetter.

“See, today when we saw the heavy floods, westood helplessly and it is this jungle folk whofound a quick solution.

“Now do you realise that Meeku would be ofgreat help to us?”

Billu and Chillu nodded their heads andhappily welcomed the country bumpkin into theirhouse. ●

8 Champak

October (Second) 2009 9

The Detective Monty and the Fake Scientist

A cheat posed as a scientist and claimed in themarket that he can cause a rain with the help of his newly invented machine. The clouds thus

made by will roar and will emit lightning.The Dectitive Monty caught his lie. How?

Ans:Because lightning never roars and thelightning in the atmosphere will only cause

lightning.

TODAY, SONIT had gotup early in themorning. His father

was a milkman.He said to Sonit, “Take

this cans. I have filled milkin them.”

“Yes Papa,” Sonit repliedand put both the cans on hiscycle.

Though his father did thiswork everyday but today hewas not feeling well so Sonitwas going to distribute milk.Father had given him the listof all his customers.

These days they wererunning tight. The milk

by Anil Satija

Sonit’Sonit’s Spyings Spying

business was not fetching good money. On top ofthat it was difficult to pay the school fees and otherhousehold expenses. Sonit had decided to give upstudies.

Sonit left for work. His village was 3 km awayfrom the town. Sonit was passing through a lonelystretch on the highway. He saw a truck standing inthe middle of the road. It was probably off road.Two people were trying to repair it with the bonnetopen.

As Sonit passed from there, the chain of his cyclegave way. He got down and got at a side of the

road. He saw that some wild dogs were barkingmadly at the 2 men. One of them, who was bald, gotangry on them. The men picked up some stones and threw on the dogs. But the dogs keptbarking.

'Why are the dogs barking so much on them?There is surely something wrong. The truck iscovered from all the sides too,' coming near thetruck, Sonit thought.

'Oh, there is some foul smell of animal comingfrom the truck like the horse of Jumman uncle. If Iam not wrong, there is some horse-like animallocked up in the truck,' Sonit was just guessing asthe other man came to him.

“Hey you boy, what are you searching here?” theman chided.

“Nothing, it was just my cycle chain that fell. Iam just picking it up,” Sonit said fearlessly andpicking up the chain from the ground, startedputting it back on the cycle.

“Come on, vanish from here soon,” the bald mansaid.October (Second) 2009 11

Sonit moved on.“The men appear to be criminals by face. How

rudely the man talked. Surely, there is somethingfishy.”

Sonit reached the town in no time. He wasthinking of Inspector Prashant. Father went to hishouse daily to supply him milk. Sonit straight wentto his house instead of going anywhere.

Prashant was at home and getting ready to goout. Sonit told him everything.

“You did a good job by coming here first. Lastnight a special horse named Sikander was stolen.He always came first in races. Thieves have stolenhim so that they can earn great money by sellinghim.”

“Look, there is a news in yesterday's newspaper.His owner Manik Lal Mehta has filled a complaintand is very upset. If Sikander is not found, he willbear loss of lakhs of rupees.”

And Prashant went towards the phone, Sonitgave him milk andwent away, as hehad to supply milkto others also.

Soon, he return-ed home tired. Nextmorning Sonit gotready to go toschool. Father hadleft home to supplymilk. Sonit hadalmost forgottenyesterday's episode.He had just steppedout of his house

when a police jeep halted at his gate.Everyone in the village was surprised to see a

jeep. A crowd collected immediately. A smilingInspector Prashant got down from the jeep andcame near Sonit, “Keep it up Sonit, you havehelped nabbing the thieves of Sikander. Soon, aftertalking to you, I sent mobile police vans to thehighway because of which both the thieves werecaught. Sikander was found lying unconscious inthe truck. They had given him a tranquilisinginjection after stealing him.

“Mr Mehta is also very happy with you. He hasdecided to reward you one lakh rupees.”

Sonit, along with his family, were very pleased.All their worries were now over. Sonit could go to agood school. They had tears of happiness in theireyes. ●


HA! HA! HA!Manish: Suresh, you had a colour TV. Then how

did it change into a black and white one?Suresh: See, there are so many advertisements

for washing soaps coming in the TV. They havechanged our colour TV into a black and white one.

—Ashok, Palampur.

*Teacher: If it takes 15 men 12 hours to build a

wall, how long will it take 5 men?Mohan: No time at all. The 15 have already built

it. —Amrit Singh, Mumbai.

*

Bank RobberBank Robbery y

by Dr Rajiv Gupta

14 Champak

AS JACKY Dog entered his office, his mobilerang. “Hello, Jacky speaking,” putting it behind

his ears’ he said, “Hello sir, I am Bhola Bear, themanager of Hanmani Bank,” a nervous voice fromthe other side spoke.

“Tell me, Mr manager, is all well?” Jacky asked.“No sir, everything is disordered.”“Why? What is wrong?”“A bank robbery has taken place. The robbers

have fled with 2 crore rupees. Come soon, I am sureyou will be able to nab the miscreants,” Managerexplained.

“I will just be there,” Jacky replied. He thoughtfor a while. Then he sat in his car to head forHanmani Bank.

Jacky was the Sherlock Homes of Champakvan.He had solved many difficult and complicatedcases earlier too. So for any mishappening theanimals remembered him.

When Jacky reached the bank, Inspector ChetuLeopard was already present there. His men weretaking down fingerprints.

“Yes, tell me inspector, did you find any proof?”Jacky asked Chetu.

“We have not found any proof, Mr Jacky. Therobbers were very clever,” Chetu said, a littledisappointed.

“Don't worry. It is very easy for us to provideproofs,” and Jacky immediately went to Bhola Bear,the bank manager of Hanmani Bank to gather someimportant information.

“It was sharp 11 o’clock when the robbersentered the bank. All had pistols in their hands. Assoon as they entered, they covered everyone andvery easily filled 2 crore rupees in the suitcasesthey were carrying and fled. Some of theirassociates were sitting in the waiting Balero,”Bhola informed.

“Could you not see anyone's face,” Jacky asked.

vz

“No, they were all masked,” Bhola answered.Jacky collected some more information from

Bhola. For some time he kept seeing left and rightcarelessly in the bank, then said, “If nobody hasseen the robbers’ faces, how can we catch them,”and he left in his car.

Everyone present was surprised with Jackydog's behaviour today. Chetu Leopard was busytrying to nab the robbers. Finally, not reachinganywhere, he closed the bank robbery file.

Two months passed since this case. Sonu Donkeya well known businessman of Champakvan,

was somewhat wonky by nature. He believed inlucky numbers. Once he advertised in thenewspaper that if anyone was in possession of onethousand rupee note numbered XY 532161, he maycome and give him the note and take away 10,000rupees from him.

Coincidently, Chaplu Rabbit had this numbernote. Chaplu came to Sonu and happily took away10,000 rupees after giving him the same numberednote.

Again after 4 days, Sonu took out anotheradvertisement in the paper saying, “If anybody hasa thousand rupee note numbered XX 324709 cancome and give it to me and take away 20,000 rupeesas it is my lucky number.”

In the evening, Kalu Jackal met Sonu Donkeysecretly, “Is XX 324709 really your lucky number?”

“Yes, if it was not so, why should I have given20,000 rupees for 1,000 rupees? A famous saint hastold me about this number,” Sonu said.

“I have a note of this number. Take it and give16 Champak

me 20,000 rupees. But don't let anyone know aboutthis.”

“Why?”“Matters of Income tax.”“Oh, so that is the matter. Why should I tell

anyone about it? I just want my lucky number atany cost,” and giving Kalu 20,000 rupees, he tookthe 1,000 rupees note from him. Kalu was veryhappy getting 20 thousand rupees for a thousandrupees note. He thought that Sonu Donkey was afool to throw money like this for lucky numbers.Counting the money, he kept them in his pocketand went home.

He had just entered his house when Jacky Dogalong with Chetu Leopard and the police nabbedhim.

“But what have I done?” Kalu was surprised.“Two months back you along with your gang

had robbed 2 crore rupees from Hanmani Bank.”

Jacky pointed a pistol towards him. Kalu waspetrified.

When his house was searched, loads of moneywere found.

“Where have you kept more money?” arrestinghim, Inspector Chetu asked.

“My men have them,” Kalu accepted.Soon, the police nabbed his associates Chalu

Fox, Langda Dog, Tonu Jackal and Laggu Hyenaand put them in jail.

“Good, you have laid a smart trap to nab therobbers with the help of Chaplu Rabbit and SonuDonkey,” Inspector Chetu thanked Jacky.

“Yes, I had taken numbers of the stolen notesfrom the bank manager. Then I included Sonu andChaplu too in my plan so that the robbers may notdoubt and they may fall in our trap.”

“You are surely Champakvan’s SherlockHomes,” Chetu complimented Jacky. Jacky smiled. ●

Playing with lettersGiven below are 5 words. If you interchange the letters in

a word, you will get another word. Then try and form asentence using both the words.

For example: ACT changes to CATSentence: A film producer wants a cat to act in his film.

Change these words and make a sentence. Words: 1. TIER. 2. MEAT. 3. NEAR. 4. PLUG. 5. RING.

Send your answers at—CHAMPAK (Playing with letters)

DELHI PRESSE-3, Jhandewala Extn., Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi - 110055.

18 Champak

Ans: He found a feather on the car's seat,which was from the cap worn by the thief.

Detective Teenu and The Thief

Once a car thief ran away with a stolencar. Police gave a hot chase to the thief, butthe car hit the tree on the next turn and thethief escaped. Little later the police caught

3 thieves. Detective Teenu came and heidentified the real thief. How?


THERE WAS a big com-pany named 'Teddy &Son' in Satpuravan.

Many animals of the forestworked in the company.

Since past few days theowner of 'Teddy & Son'Teddy Bear was very upset.His office was being burgledconstantly since many days.But today somebody hadused his computer and ithung.

He remembered hisfriend Cheeku Rabbit.Cheeku worked in a privatedetective agency inSatpuravan. He was veryclever and intelligent.

He had helped the policein nabbing many knowncriminals.

Teddy went to Cheeku'soffice to meet him. Cheekuwas very happy to see Teddyat his office. He asked,“What brings you here,friend?”

“I have come to you for avery important work. Hope,you will solve the matter assoon as possible. Or I will bedestroyed,” Teddy cried.

“Tell me what is thematter? How can I help

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22 Champak

you?” Cheeku consoled.Teddy said, “For the last many months my

company's documents are being stolen. But it was alimit today when my computer too hung because ofwhich I had to bear a loss of crores of rupees. If mycomputer is not repaired, I will finish.”

“Do you have any enemy or you suspectanyone?” Cheeku tried to inquire.

“In the corporate culture everyone is eachother’s enemy and friend. Therefore, I cannot say

anything for sure,” Teddy said.“Is there anyone in your company whom you

suspect?”“No one, because all employees are old and

trusted, hard working and honest.”“In that case, it is very difficult to say anything,”

Cheeku said. He pondered, “I have a plan.”“What plan?” Teddy asked surprisingly.“Yes. Do as I tell you,” Cheeku explained his

plan nicely to Teddy. According to the plan, Teddy Bear employed

Cheeku Rabbit in his company and introduced himto all his employees as a labourer.

After meeting the employees, Cheeku Rabbit

Champak

came to know that company's manager BhikuJackal was the oldest employee in the companywho had turned too old and so Teddy Bear wassending him home on retirement.

One day, after all the employees left, CheekuRabbit hid behind the door. It was then that he sawBhiku Jackal.

Cheeku Rabbit thought as his eyes fell on him,'What is Bhiku Jackal doing here at this time? Allhave gone home. Maybe, he has some work that iswhy he is here.'

But he became alert when he saw Bhiku enterTeddy Bear's cabin slyly.

Cheeku too went behind him to Teddy's cabinand opening the door a little, tried to peep in.

Bhiku was fingering the computer. Cheeku thenentered the cabin.

Bhiku got nervous seeing Cheeku inside. Hequickly tried to shut down the computer.

“In the absence of the master what are youdoing here?” Cheeku asked in a stern voice.

Bhiku did not reply. Then Cheeku introducedhimself and said, “This is the last time that I amasking you, what are you doing here?”

Bhiku Jackal was utterly frightened seeingCheeku Detective in front of him. Asking

apology with folded hands he said, “I am going toretire in a few days. After retirement I want to starta small business of mine. Since last many years Ihave put in lot of hard work in this company butcould not collect that much money as to start myown business.”

“Suddenly one day, I met the owner of ChakmakCompany. He assured me that if I get himOctober (Second) 2009 25

documents and internal information about 'Teddy& Son' Company, he will give me 10 lakh rupees. Iwas ready to do this for so much money. Pleaseforgive me.”

“My work is to find out the culprit. Your masterwill decide whether to punish or forgive you,”Cheeku Rabbit said.

He rang up Teddy from his mobile and calledhim, “Here is your culprit.”

Teddy Bear said, “If you needed money, youshould have told me. I would not have given you somuch money but I would have helped you to start abusiness. But you have deceived me by gettinggreedy. You have hurt my faith. You should bepunished for it.”

Teddy Bear called the police and handed BhikuJackal to them. ●

26 Champak

DPBTA 18

SHARPEYE

69

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Who robbed Jungle Bank?Somebody robbed the Jungle Bank at night. One ofthe animals reported that he had seen the hill tiger

coming out from the bank. Another animal reportedthat he saw the leopard running with a bag in thearea. Whereas the 3rd animal said that he saw the

puma running away with the bag. Despite 3 differentversions about the robber, the Detective Doggy feelsthat the bank robbers are not 3 different individuals,

but only one fellow. Why?

Ans:Because hill tiger, leopard and puma arethe names of the same animal.


THERE WAS an old tree on the way fromSundervan to the city. According to theelderly birds and animals, the tree was more

than 400 years old. At night, the tree appeared very scary.

Generally, animals and birds passing werefrightened at seeing it.

Taking advantage of this fact, Baddy Jackal andLaddy Fox made their home in the thick leaves ofthe tree and decided to scare the innocent animalsand birds with the fear of ghost.

● ●

by Jamshed Azmi

SecrSecret of Skullset of Skulls

28 Champak

One night, Jumpy Monkey was returning home with some money when he crossed theghostly tree.

Suddenly, Baddy and Laddy, who were sittingon the tree, suspended 2 skulls from the treemaking them dance in front of Jumpy like puppets.

Seeing 2 skulls right in front of him, Jumpy wasterrified. He screamed, “Ghost ... ghost. There is aghost on the tree. Help.”

“Now you cannot be saved. You are in ourclutches. You cannot even move without our wish,”and one of the skulls laughed loudly.

Jumpy tried running away but his feet frozewith fear. He shook and fell down. He pleaded,“Please ghost, let me go. I promise that I will neverpass from here again.”

“This cannot happen. You are bound to take thisway. This is the only way that connects the city tothe jungle,” said the other skull dancing.

Baddy who was sitting on top said, “But allanimals and birds pass from here on a

condition. They will have to pay tax to us. You toocan put 200 rupees in the skull's nose and moveon.”

“It is ok. Money is not as important as my life,”and Jumpy inserted 2 notes of 100 rupees each inthe skull's nose.

The skulls danced and said in one voice, “GoodJumpy, you have acted sensibly. Now you may go.But do tell everyone about our tax.”

Jumpy fled for his life. Reaching among hisfriends he informed them, “Friends, 2 ghosts havemade the old tree their home. I have somehowsaved my life from them.”October (Second) 2009 29

“What? How can that be? The tree looks scarybeing thick and old. But we must not believe inghosts and such things,” Meeku Dog asserted.

“Yes, Meeku is right. Dogs too are scaredpassing from there though I don't believe inghosts,” said Whity Goat.

When Jumpy Monkey heard this he avered,“Believe me, even I have seen 2 skulls dancing. Iam just coming after paying a tax of 200 rupees tothe ghosts.”

“Ha... ha... ha, somebody has made a fool of you and extracted money,” and everybody had a heartylaugh.

“Don't believe me. When you will experience,you will know,” and Jumpy left frustrated.

Days passed and everything was forgotten. Onthe tree Baddy and Laddy were now waiting

for their next prey. For many days when no one came by, Baddy

said, “Laddy, it seems that our skulls are not scaryenough. In spite of scaring Jumpy so badly, theanimals of the jungle are not frightened.”

“You are correct. Probably our plan hasflopped,” Laddy Fox said.

“But we must still wait. Maybe the animals arejust acting brave,” Baddy Fox tried beingoptimistic.

Then, suddenly, they heard sounds of somefootsteps. Both got ready with the skulls in theirhands.

Chimpu Mouse was coming. As he passed fromunder the tree, the skulls hung down and starteddancing in front of him.

“Ghosts, ghosts have come in the jungle. I30 Champak

should not have returned from the city,” ChimpuMouse screamed with fear.

“Now as you are here, put 200 rupees in the noseof the skulls or we will drink your blood,” theskulls tried scaring him.

In order to save himself, Chimpu stuffed 2 notesof 100 rupees in the nose of the skull.

“Now go and warn everyone in the jungle that ifthey want to live longer, they better start givingmoney. Or we will finish them,” a voice came out ofthe skulls.

“I have understood,” and Chimpu ran away asfast as he could.

Chimpu soon reached the jungle and informedeveryone about this happening. Pulling his legJumpy said, “Chimpu too has become a prey. Wishyou believed that these ghosts are for real.”

“Yes, now we have alsostarted believing itsomewhat. We will goand see ourselves. Ifthe ghosts arereally there, weshould notmind givingt h e m200 rupees,”wiping sweatfrom theirheads theanimals said.

All animalsreached theghostly tree. Theskulls hung downOctober (Second) 2009 31

and started dancing. They took a promisethat every animal passing from under thetree will give 200 rupees to the ghosts.

Baddy Jackal and Laddy Fox wereextremely happy at this.

This went on for a year. Baddy and Laddybecame moneyed, acting as ghosts. Their lifebecame very comfortable.

Suddenly, one day, Sheelu Hippo, returningfrom the town, passed from under the old treewhen the skulls again hung down before him.

“What is this trouble?” Sheelu Hippo steppedback with surprise.

“We are ghosts. If you want to stay alive, put 200rupees in the skulls' nose or...” the skulls dancedand said.

Sheelu thought for a while. He whispered,“Surely, this is someone’s mischief who isextracting money out of innocent animals. After all,why should a ghost require money? I should givethem money in order to know the truth.”

Running his eyeballs across the tree SheeluHippo said, “Dear ghost, I do not want to die. I amcoming to put money in your nose.”

Sheelu went near them and inserted the notes inthe nose. As he waved his hand on top of them, hetouched the nylon wires with which the skulls weresuspended and were invisible.

“Oh! So this is the matter. Now wait and watchhow I teach these ghosts a lesson,” Sheeluwhispered to himself and went inside the jungle.

He called everyone and said, “Brothers, I havejust met the skull ghosts and come. It is theirbirthday today. They desire that all animals should32 Champak

burn red chillies under the tree and worship themwith the smoke. Otherwise the ghosts will getangry and create havoc in the jungle.”

“No, we cannot afford their anger. We will getred chillies just now from our homes.”

“All the animals got bags full of red chillies andwent with Sheelu to worship the ghosts.

On the other hand, seeing Sheelu come withbags along with a great crowd, Baddy Jackal wasexcited, “Look Laddy, all animals are getting bagsfull of notes.”

“Yes, it seems we are going to get lucky today.”

By then the animals reached the tree and piledup chillies under the tree. Without delay SheeluHippo put a spark to the pile.

Fire broke out quickly in the pile of chillies.Baddy and Laddy were choked of breath and

burst out coughing. They tried to save themselvesfrom the smoke but soon felt suffocated. Their eyesstarted burning.

Both could not balance and fell with a thud onthe ground with the skulls.

“Oh! They are Baddy and Laddy. They haveskulls in their hands. That means they were scaringus by acting as ghosts,” all animals were angry.

Everyone jumped on Baddy Jackal and Laddy Fox and beat them black and blue. In orderto save themselves Baddy and Laddy came out withthe truth. By then the police came and arrestedthem.

All the animals then thanked Sheelu foropening the secret of skulls and enjoyed a tastyfeast in the evening. ●


34 Champak

Detective TortoiseThe duck was swimming in the swimming

pool. Her complaint is that hippo had stolenher necklace. The hippo’s contention was

that he had gone to swim in the sea. But theDetective Tortoise knew that the Hippo was

the thief. How?

Ans:If the hippo had gone to swim in the sea,on his return he would carry the sand on his feet

from the sea beach, which was missing. ThusDetective Tortoise caught the Hippo.

TINKOO, Chintooand MinkooRabbits had just

arrived in Champakvan.There was a large pondin the middle of thejungle. There was a hugeground spread till far.Many more rabbits lived

by Yugal Kishore ‘Chintit’

VVictoryictory

ofof

ChintooChintoo

there too. They were in a bad shape, as they did nothave enough food to eat.

One day, Chintoo Rabbit gathered hisneighbour rabbits and said to them, “This place isso good. There is land and a water pond too. Whydon't we get together and do some farming, growcrops and make our lives happier.”

“Chintoo brother, you are absolutely correct. Butyou are new in this jungle. The king's son Sheru isvery mischievous and arrogant. He will not let usdo farming,” Cheeku expressed worry.

“At least, start working. I will see him,”confident Cheeku said.

The next day all the rabbits reached the groundwith spades in their hands and started digging.

Sheru was strolling there. Hearing some diggingsound, he went to the ground.

“Why are you digging the ground?” Sheruasked.

“We want to grow crops in the field, brotherSheru,” Chintoo Rabbit said respectfully.

“”Is the land yours?”“No, it is Champakvan's land and Champakvan

is for all the animals,” spoke Tinkoo.“Look, my father is the king of Champakvan. I

will not let you do farming on this land,” Sherusaid arrogantly.

“We consider you the king of this jungle. If wegrow crops on this land we will pay you tax, Your Majesty,” Meeku Rabbit spoke some goodwords.

Sheru quickly replied, “Ok, then we will keephalf part of the crop as tax.”

“Well, Your Majesty, will you tell us which part38 Champak

of the crop will you keep as tax. The part above theland or the part below it?” Tinkoo Rabbit asked.

Sheru thought, ‘What will I do of the part belowthe ground in the sand?’

“Listen, I will take the part above the ground,”Sheru ordered.

“It is ok with us,” Chintoo agreed.All the rabbits including Tinkoo, Chintoo and

Minkoo started digging. They toiled hard and grew crops. Sheru too came when the crops wereready.

“Your Majesty, please take the part of the cropabove the ground,” and Chintoo dug out a carrotfrom the ground and extended its leaves to Sheru.He kept the carrot in his bag.

Similarly, other rabbits too broke the leaves ofcarrots, raddish, potato, and onions and keeping

the fruits in their baskets and offered the leaves toSheru. Sheru could not say anything. He had a pileof leaves in front of him.

He thought for a while and said, “Chintoo, nexttime you sow a crop, I will take the part that growsunder the ground,” and stamping the leaves Sheruleft.

After some time, another crop was ready. Sheruwas on the field. The rabbits were also there.

This time they cut wheat and gram sticks and putthem in their bags and gave the stems to Sheru.

Sheru just kept gaping. He again thought for awhile and screamed, “Next time, you pile up thewhole crop and I will chose whichever I want.”

“Ok, Your Majesty,” Chintoo said happily andSheru moved on angrily.

After some months, the crop was again ready.Sheru came to the field. He saw 2 piles. The smallerpile was that of grains and the bigger one was thatof husk.

“Here, Your Majesty, this is the bigger pile,”pointing towards the husk pile Chintoo said.

Sheru thought, 'What will I do of this big pile.”

He smiled and coming near to Chintoo said, “Iam a non-vegetarian. What will I do of this crop.All of you are hardworking and sensible. You have won. This land is yours. Now you will nothave to pay any tax. From today, you all are myfriends.”

All the rabbits were very happy. Chintoo’scleverness made them the winners. Sheru toobecame friend and their poverty was removed byhard work. ●

40 Champak

Rules of the Game

● You can start the game when you get 1 on yourdice.

● If you don't have a dice then, you can pick up yourChampak magazine. Now with your eyes closed,open the magazine, count and moveboxes as per the count of the last digitof the right hand side page number,such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

● Before starting the game each playerhas to select the colour of his choice.

● While following the rules of the game throughout,the player who reaches the end point first, shall bethe winner.

Startagain.

Startagain.

Startagain.

Mowhen

get

Move when you

get 1.

Wait fo1 turn

Wait for2 turns.

Wait for2 turns.

Move when you

get 5.

Start

Ros

han

Bab

u

Startagain.

Startagain.

Move when you

get 1.

ove n you

1.

Wait for1 turn.

or.

Move when you

get 5.

Move when you

get 5.

End

DABOO SPORTS A COAT AND A HATAND BECOMES A DETECTIVE.

HEY! YOU ARE REALLY LOOKING LIKE AREAL DETECTIVE.

HE HAS BINOCULARSAS WELL.

SUDDENLY, A VIXEN EMERGEDOUT OF THE BUSHES.

NOW, I DON'T HAVE TO HUNTAROUND FOR THE WHOLE DAY.

WHERE DABOO HAS GONE?

HIS HAT AND BINOCULARS AREHERE. IT MEANS SOMEBODY HAS

CAUGHT DABOO.

44 Champak

WHO HAS KIDNAPPED DABOO?

FROM THE FOOTMARKS ITSEEMS IT IS THE VIXEN WHO

HAS CAPTURED DABOO.

SHE WOULD NOT HAVE GONETOO FAR.

LET US SEE FROM THE TREETOP.

YES, SHE IS RUNNING AWAY WITH DABOO. NOW SHE HAS

ENTERED A CAVE.

HURRY UP! WE HAVE TOSAVE DABOO.

BUT HOW WE BOTH WILLFIGHT WITH THE VIXEN?


CHEEKU MADE A ROPE WITHSOME CREEPERS.

WE WILL FIGHT ANDBREAK HER LEG.

YOU HOLD THIS ROPE.

I GOT IT. THIS STICK WILL ALSO BE HELPFUL.

CHEEKU PLACED THE HAT IN FRONT OFTHE DOOR AND KNOCKED THE DOOR.

WHO IS THERE? HOW COMETHIS HAT IS LYING HERE?

46 Champak

THE MOMENT THE VIXEN MOVED AHEADTO PICK UP THE HAT, CHEEKU AND

MEEKU PULLED THE ROPE. THE VIXENFELL FLAT.

AAH...

MEEKU, HIT HER WITH STICK SOTHAT SHE DOES NOT GET UP.

O.K. NOW SHE IS UNCONSCIOUS. WEHAVE TO GET AWAY FAST WITH DABOO.

I TRIED TO BE A DETECTIVE, BUTYOU ARE THE REAL DETECTIVE.


Mummy to herdaughter: Yesterday, youwent to sleep, the moment Ibegan singing the lullaby.Did you like my lullaby verymuch?

Daughter: NoMummy, I slept offquickly out of fear that Imight have to listen tothe whole lullaby.

—Himanshu, Chennai.

*Sunny: Mannu, today

I saved 10 rupees.

Mannu: Really, buthow?

Sunny: I ran after thebus and reached theschool.

Mannu: Then yousuffered a loss.

Sunny: How?Mannu: If you had

run after a taxi, then youwould have saved 100rupees. —Naresh, Kolkata.

*Rahul: My cat can tell

her name.

Raju: And what isname of your cat?

Rahul : Meeyaooo.—Ashok, Meerut.

*Mummy: The one

who listens to me, I shallgive him the toys.

Son: Then you bettergive the toy to Papa.

—Ravi, Mumbai.

*Mohit: What are you

doing?Ranjit: I am doing the

homework.Mohit: But why are

you doing it so slow?Ranjit: Because my

teacher is in the habit ofreading slowly.

—Aakash, Modinagar.

*Neighbour: Hey Raju!

You have a new bornmember in your family,how is he doing?

Raju: He is not a new

fellow, Uncle. He cries asif he has learnt crying formany years.

—Shruti Singh, Uttrakhand.

*Hunny: Papa, have

not you lost your walletanywhere?

Papa: No, I don'tthink so.

Hunny: Just check, itmight be lying some-where.

Papa (checks hispocket): No, my wallet isin my pocket.

Hunny: Then pleasegive me 50 rupees out ofyour wallet.

—Deepika, Shimla.

*Mummy: Son, get

ready fast for the school,or else you will be latefor the school.

Son: Never mindMummy, the school isopen till evening.

—Arjun, Uttar Pradesh.

DPBTB7

Find out the m

istakes: Win prize-62

2

1

There are some mistakes in picture 2. Find out how many mistakes

are there. Send your answers through SMS. First type the keyword

DPBTB. Then leave one space and then type the total number of mistakes.

For example, DPBTB 7, as shown in the photo of mobile. Then send the

SMS on 57007. You may send as many SMS as you like. Any 5 correct

respondents will be asked to send their complete address. They will be

given a gift of Rs. 100 each. You can also send your answers by Post

Card. Your answers should reach us by 5 November, 2009.

SU N D E R VA Nwas prosperingunder the rule

of King Sher Singh.He always thought ofthe prosperity of thejungle and workedhis best to see itprosper. Because ofthis attitude, someanimals had becomehis enemies.

The enemieswanted to kill himand take the reigns ofthe kingdom in theirhands so that theycould themselvesbecome rich by

by Jamshed Azmi

Snag inSnag inHelicopterHelicopter

52 Champak

looting the wealth of the jungle. One day, Sher Singh was touring his jungle in a

helicopter when the helicopter started shaking. Hetold the pilot, “Our helicopter is shaking badly. Youmust soon control it or we all will be dead.”

“Your Majesty, I am trying my best but it is notcoming under control. Probably, there is a serioussnag,” and he tried controlling it.

By then it was too late. The helicopter wasdescending with great speed towards the ground.Sher Singh and the pilot were frightened andjumped out of it with the parachute. The helicopterfell on the earth and with a loud explosion brokeinto many pieces.

After some time, Sher Singh bought a newhelicopter. For some days everything was good.

But one day that too fell from mid air and crashed.This time also Sher Singh barely escaped.

One by one, 6 helicopters were destroyed whichworried Sher Singh. He came to conclude thatsomebody wants to kill him. Sensing danger, hestoped flying.

One day, he called his loyal minister Jonny Bearand said, “Jonny, till now 6 helicopters have beentargeted down. I guess some enemies want to killme.”

“Your Majesty, you must stop believing animalsaround you blindly. If something happens to you,the whole jungle will finish,” Jonny Bear said.

“I have to have faith on someone at least. I alonecannot fight the enemy. Someone who can targetmy helicopter can do anything,” Sher Singh said.

“You are right. You will have to be cautious tillthe enemy is caught. I am there with you. One ofOctober (Second) 2009 53

my friends is a well known detective of the town.He has solved the most complicated cases. I willring him up and call him,” Jonny Bear assured.

“Good, well thought. If the spy is from the town,nobody will know him. Call him soon,” Sher Singhwas happy.

Jonny asked spy Billu Monkey to come toSundervan. The monkey happily came.

Jonny and Sher Singh met at a secret place.

On hearing Sher Singh's case Billu said, “Thematter is really serious. Don't worry, Your

Majesty. I will soon catch the enemy and hand himover to you.”

“I expect that from you,” Sher Singh said.“By the way how many helicopters do you have

right now? Where do they stand and who looksafter them?” Billu Monkey asked.

Right now I have no helicopter. My helicoptersstand on the helipad at the airport and the workersthere are responsible for their safety and repair,”Sher Singh informed.

“So now you may buy a new helicopter and parkit on the helipad at the airport so that I may reachthe enemy,” Billu Monkey said.

All the 3 then left. After reaching his palace,Sher Singh immediately ordered a new helicopter.

From the next day, Billu Monkey dressed up as asweeper, started watching the workers at theairport. He suspected some animals and birdsbecause of their behaviour.

After some days, he saw a new helicopterstanding at the helipad. Now Billu became alert.

One day, Lallu Jackal was strolling near thehelicopter. Billu murmured to himself, “Lallu54 Champak

appears very smart. His standard of living is alsobetter than others. Surely, he only must befingering the helicopter. But on whose instruc-tions?”

Billu got after Lallu.One day, he saw Lallu going with Foreign

Minister Jhaptu Wolf to his house. Billu startedfollowing him silently.

Lallu Jackal went to Jhaptu's house and returnedafter 10 minutes with a packet. Billu sitting on the

tree, was watching. Seeing apacket in the hands of Lallu, hisdoubt turned into belief. Lalluhid the packet in his house andstarted towards the airport.

In the afternoon, seeing noone near the helicopter, Lallu

Jackal put pebbles in thehelicopter's petrol tank.

Billu saw this. He was veryexcited knowing who it was, “So this

is it. Sher Singh's helicopter is falling due topebbles in his helicopter's tank. This means JhaptuWolf is Sher Singh's enemy. I must soon tell theking about it.”

He then ran to the palace and told Sher Singheverything.

The king was very angry. He called Jonny Bearand got Lallu Jackal and Jhaptu Wolf arrested andproduced them before the king.

The king wildly roared seeing the traitors infront of him, “So you both wanted to kill me.

“I was fortunate enough to escape the death. Now both of you will get punishment forthis.”

“Your Majesty, I am your faithful servant. Whywill I take your life? Perhaps, somebody haspoisoned you against me,” foreign minister JhaptuWolf said.

“Yes, Your Majesty, Jhaptu is right. Jonny Bear isyour enemy and our's too. Earlier too he tried tobribe us. I did not listen to him so he poisoned yourears,” Lallu Jackal tried to make up.

Sher Singh was highly annoyed with theaspersions cast on Jonny. His eyes went red. He56 Champak

shouted at Lallu and Jhaptu badly.Then Billu spoke, “Your Majesty, I have seen

them putting pebbles in the helicopter tank. Wemust get the pebbles out by calling an engineer orthis helicopter too will be destroyed. It is necessaryto question Lallu strictly. He will ogle out all truthif he is bashed up nicely.”

The king immediately ordered Lallu to bebeaten up black and blue.

“Oh, don't beat me, please. Let me go. I had putpebbles inside the helicopter tank on Jhaptu'sinstruction. He was paying me heftily for the work.I had become greedy. Please forgive me,” Lalluscreamed on getting beaten up.

Jhaptu started trembling with nervousnesswhen Lallu came out with the truth. He tried to fleebut could not succeed.

Sher Singh put both of them behind bars.Then he thanked Billu Monkey and appreciated

his spying. He also gave him lots of money. Billu and Jonny

were on top of the world. ●


Do you have something to say?Children are invited to contribute their own views,

poems, jokes (not published so far), amusing anecdotesand cartoons. Give full name and address separately foreach column.

Kindly send them to: The Editor, Champak, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi-110055, stating that it is your own original,unaided, unpublished work.

Inspector Kharag Singh found animpression of a thief's hand. Where is

the impression of the thief's other hand?Answer : 7.

58 Champak

1. Which is fastest animal on the Earth?(a) Cheetah. (b) Tiger.(c) Rhinoceros. (d) Deer.

2. In which city you can find the Kutab Minar?(a) Jaipur. (b) Kanpur.(c) Delhi. (d) Agra.

3. Who said ‘Aaram Haram Hai’?(a) Mahatma Gandhi. (b) Jawaharlal Nehru.(c) Chandrashekhar Azad. (d) Subhash Chandra.

4. A. R. Rehman is associated with which field?(a) Arts. (b) Science.(c) Music. (d) Sports.

5. The river 'Kaveri' flows in which state?(a) Tamil Nadu. (b) Gujarat.(c) Rajasthan. (d) Sikkim.


Who Am I ?� ☺ � � ☺ �

??

1. My 1st colour symbolize vigour,My 2nd colour symbolize

peace,My 3rd colour symbolize

prosperity,And Ashok Chakra symbolize

dynamism.

2. Man gave me eyes but I cannot see.

Man gave me mouth but I cannot speak.

Man gave me legs but I cannot walk.

Yet I am loved by all.

3. Slim is my body, made of bamboo.

I am sad, as I have lot of holes.

Though I am sad, but I havebeautiful sound.

Smart you are, if you guess me right.

4. Alive only in waterBut cold as deadNever thirsty but ever

drinkingCan you guess me quickly?

How Much Do You Know?

AnswersWho Am I? : (1) National Flag. (2) Doll. (3) Flute. (4) Fish.How Much Do You Know? : (1) a. (2) c. (3) b. (4) c. (5) a.

CHHUK CHHUK Express was a good train thatmoved with great speed. It started fromSheesham Nagar at 7 am and travelled a long

distance to Sagvanpur in 25 hours. It passed stationsof Karanj, Saal and Kachnar of Champakvan duringthe late night.

The train was always crowded and some cases oftheft were reported from the train lately. These thefts

generally took place between Karanj and Kachnarstations. The thieves kidnapped little animals too whowere never found later. King Sher Singh got worried.He summoned Gaj Elephant, the head of RailwayPolice.

“Chhuk Chhuk Express is the pride ofChampakvan. All rumours should immediately stop.

|{

by Dr Suresh Mohan Prasad

Criminals should be arrested as fast as possible,”ordered Sher Singh.

Gaj Elephant called a meeting of the officers.“Gangs of thieves are active. We must arrest them,”

Inspector Bhalu Ram spoke of the urgency of a specialoperation.

Cheetah Nand suggested, “We should travel inplain clothes.

Geffu Giraffe too had an idea, “Patrol partiesshould be deployed.”

The meeting went on till late. It was a long drawnmission. They were preparing for ‘Operation ChhukChhuk Express’ with full seriousness.

The train had started from Saal station. Someanimals entered the train running, as it started.Cheetah Nand was in the same coach. He had beentravelling since many days and was equipped withmobile and wireless set, though he was in plainclothes. Wrapped in a blanket he used to lie quietly onthe top berth. Some doubt crept in his mind and hebecame alert.

They were thieves. The thieves quickly switchedoff the lights on entering. Whispers could be heard inthe coach. Cheetah Nand tried straining his ears tohear their talks. Some of their friends were alreadypresent in the coach earlier. The thieves were wearingmonkey caps and had pistols in their hands. Some ofthe looters were made to stand on the door. CheetahNand was constantly watching them.

Chhuk Chhuk ExprChhuk Chhuk Expressess


“Put all the cash and jewellery in the bags,” themasked men started looting with their torchlights on.Some thieves were putting small animals in sacks.There was panic in the coach everywhere.

When the thieves came to Cheetah Nand, hequietly put his wrist watch, ring and cash in their bag.

The thieves then went to another coach. CheetahNand immediately contacted his team. A troop ofmonkeys was travelling along in another coach.

The train was nearing Kachnar station. Thievespulled the chain to stop the train and as the trainstopped, they got down and ran. The troop ofmonkeys was ready. They too jumped off. There were62 Champak

more than 50 thieves who were looting in differentcoaches. Soon, all the thieves were caught. Smallanimals that were trapped too were freed. They wereterribly frightened.

The thieves were arrested and brought toSagvanpur. Inspector Bhalu Ram and Geffu Giraffewere present on the station.

Laptu Fox and Leo Leopard were involved in thethefts. The criminals were photographed andhandcuffed The loot deposited at the station, as thetravellers had to be given their things back.

Operation Chhuk Chhuk Express was successfuland such thefts did not take place in future. ●


GGRRAANNDDPPAAAANNDD SSNNAAIILL

BY VENU VARIATH

GRANDPA, WHAT ISTHAT SHINING LINE ON

THE FLOOR.A SNAIL HAS JUSTPASSED THAT WAY.

WHY IS IT THATSHINING?

64 Champak

SNAILS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE ON A DRY, ROUGHSURFACE. SO THEY PRODUCE A SLIMY LIQUID CALLEDMUCUS AND APPLY IT AS THEY MOVE ALONG. IT IS THIS

MUCUS THAT SHINES.

THEN THEY EASILYSLIDE ALONG THAT. THE SNAIL ALSO HAS A

SHELL, LIKE A TORTOISE.YES.

THEN IT WILL CLOSE THE OPENING OFTHE SHELL USING A THIN MEMBRANE.NOW, THE SNAIL IS SAFE FROM HEAT.


THE SHELL PROTECTS THE SNAIL FROM EXTERNAL HEAT, IT

IS JUST LIKE A SHIELD.WHEN THE HEAT INCREASES, THE SNAIL WILL SHRINK ITSELF

INTO THE SHELL.

HO, THE HEAT ISUNBEARABLE.

THEN, LET USCLOSE THE DOOR.

CAN THE SNAIL SEE AND HEAR JUST LIKE US.

THE SNAIL DOES NOT HAVE THE SENSE OF

HEARING .

THE LARGER ONES ARE LONGER TOO. THEY HAVE A SINGLE EYE ON EACH OF THEM.

THE SHORTER TENTACLES ARE USED ASFEELERS ONLY.

66 Champak

WE OFTEN SEARCH OURFOOD USING OUR SENSE OF

TOUCH OR SMELL...

...BECAUSE OUREYESIGHT IS VERY

POOR.

HOW MANY‘FEELERS’ DOESA SNAIL HAVE?

TWO PAIRS. RATHER,THEY ARE CALLED

TENTACLES, ONE PAIRLARGE AND THEOTHER SMALL.

DO SNAILS HAVEANY LEGS.

YES, OFCOURSE. THE SNAIL HAS

ONLY ONE LEG.


SNAILS LAY EGGS.DON’T THEY?

YES, BUT THERE IS ONEPECULIARTY. BOTH THE MALE

AND FEMALE LAY EGGS.

HOW LONG CAN ASNAIL LIVE?

THE SNAIL MAY LAY EGGS IN APROLIFIC MANNER– UPTO

1,200 EGGS AT A TIME.

ABOUT 15 YEARS.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF SNAILS.THE LARGEST ONE IS THE GIANT LAND SNAILSEEN IN AFRICA. IT MAY HAVE A LENGTH OF

39 CM. AND WEIGHT ABOUT 900 GMS.

Star Night inStar Night in

AhmedabadAhmedabad

THE WORLD of children is full of colours.They decorate their colourful imaginationwith great enthusiasm and gusto.

On the morning of September 1, 'ChampakStory Writing Competition' was organised inSacred Heart Primary School situated in ShahiBagh in which children from primary to class 7thtook part.

Their faces were gleaming with the thought ofputting down their imagination on paper andpencil and winning prizes.

Principal of the school A. Chawla said, “It is thefirst time that a magazine group is organising Story Writing Competition. It is very encouragingand this has made us too identify jewels of ourschool.”

A teacher of the school, Simar, said, “It was acommendable effort from the side of Champak tohave organised such a competition. Children havecome out with their best. It is through stories thatwe come to know about their observation of thingsaround them.

Such competitions develop skills of writing andreading in them.”

The credit of getting children of Sacred HeartSchool to write stories and prepare them went toMadam Anne Sequera and Madam JasmeetSanghera.

Mr Shashi Kapoor of ‘All Fresh’, who was thesponserer of ‘Champak Story Writing Competition’encouraged children to do well.

Winners were, Nishit Vasant Kumar, HaritGulshan Kapoor, Sadagi Devendra Kumar Jain,Khushboo Kushal Kumar Oswal, Smit HiteshKumar Jain.

Consolation prizes went to Isha Prakash KumarJain and Kritika Sohan Lal Jain.

—Geeta Kapoor

BLACKY BEAR in Nandanvan had workedhard to make his den deep and spacious. Helived there with his family happily. His son

Gabdu was a small fat, naughty and clever babybear.

One day, Gabdu said, “Papa, the big tree onwhich Jumpy Monkey uncle lives with his family,its branch has been let out to Darky Crow to make his nest. Now Darky is the tenant and Jumpy is the landlord. Why don't you also give apart of our big den to some animal on rent and boss70 Champak

around being the land-lord.”

Blacky liked Gabdu’sidea. The next day itselfhe let out a part of hisden to Piggu Pig whowas searching for anabode as his tenant andhimself became thelandlord.

Vendor Jacky Jackaleveryday deliveredJungle News newspaper

in the morning at BlackyBear's den.

Piggu Pig told JackyJackal to supply himnewspaper everyday. AsPiggu started calling fora paper for himself,Blacky Bear stopped thepaper for himself. Hewould send his sonGabdu to bring paperfrom Piggu and read it

by Balendu Badola

InterInterestingestingNewsNews


the whole day. For some days, Gabdu would askPiggu for the newspaper but after some time hewould get it without asking. A day came whenbefore the newspaper could land at Piggu's door, Gabdu would pounce upon the paper and take it for himself. Till both the father and son read the paper page by page, they would keep it with them and poor Piggu would just seethem helplessly.

The newspaper taking crossed limits whenGabdu Bear took away the day's newspaper in themorning and instead kept the past day's newspaperin its place. Frustrated Piggu had no choice but togo through the old newspaper. Landlord Blackyand his son, on the other hand, enjoyed reading

fresh news and get their general awarenessupdated.

Poor Piggu could not muster courage to checkthem in decency. He did not want to annoy thelandlord too. He found himself helpless.

One day when Gabdu was not at home, landlordBlacky himself went to Piggu for the newspaper.That day, after many a days, Piggu was able to gothrough the latest newspaper. After wishing goodmorning to Piggu, he sat down near him andinvolved him in talks. For a long time when Piggudid not leave the newspaper, Blacky by the wayasked, “You are too engrossed in reading news,Piggu. Is there something interesting?”

Turning the pages of the newspaper Piggu Pigsaid, “Yes, there is an interesting news, listen,” andwith his eyes dug into a corner of the newspaper hecooked up a news and read aloud, “Champakvan,30 March. In the jungles of Jhurmut Talaiya a wildboar from the animal colony killed his neighbourgreat bear Richu by attacking him with hiselongated canines. This was because the wild boarwas annoyed as great bear used to take away hisnewspaper everyday.”

Suddenly, Blacky got up to go saying, “I willleave.”

“Take the newspaper,” offering the newspaperto Blacky, Piggu smiled.

“No thanks, I am reminded of an urgent work,”and Blacky, disappeared quickly.

From that day, Gabdu never came to take thenewspaper. ●

Who Stole the Necklace?A necklace was stolen from a hotel in Paris.

Detective 007 doubted 3 tourists staying in the same hotel. The 1st tourist is from Arab but he

contended that he had gone to see the Eiffel Tower.The 2nd tourist is an African, who claimed that he

had gone to see the art gallery. The 3rd tourist isfrom China, whose contention was that he had gone

to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Detective 007immediately nabbed Chinese tourist and recovered

the stolen necklace from him. Can you tell howDetective 007 identified the real thief?

Ans:Chinese tourist was lying when he said that hehad gone to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which

was not in Paris but was in Italy.

74 Champak

OUTSIDE THE village was a thick forest.There was an old building in the junglewhich was in a dilapidated condition. Its

plaster had come off from many places and spidershad made large webs everywhere.

by Rajiv Saxena

SecrSecret ofet of

DamdamaDamdama

HouseHouse

The villagers called it Damdama House. It wasactually an arsenal during British times and used tostore weapons, guns and artillery here. But nobodyknew when was the house built and who built it.

There were many mango and blackberry treesoutside the house. Children would often climb onthe trees and play. Sometimes they would also go tothe basement of the Damdama House.

One day, Samarth was on top of the blackberrytree breaking its fruit.

He thought, 'Why not go to the basement ofDamdama House?'

He said to his friends, “Come, let us go into thebasement of the house.”

“No, I have heard that it is haunted,” Dharyareplied.

“There is no ghost at all. It is just asuperstition,” Samarth tried clearing his doubt.

“But there are lots of snakes and scorpionsinside the Damdama House.”

“If you don't want to come with me, it is allright. But I will surely go,” Samarth was adamant.

He got down the tree and went inside thebasement. It was dark underneath and there werebats suspended from the ceiling.

Samarth became nervous. His foot suddenly hitupon something hard. He had got a mobile withhim from home. With the torch in his mobile hesaw that it was something hard, like an oldmachine.

He soon got the machine outside. It was an oldcompass that was used by earlier boatmen andpirates.

He looked at it under the sun. It was writtenwith tiny letters 'Captain Raymond, 1920.'

Truly, this compass of Captain Raymond was arare thing to be found.

Samarth thought, 'Captain Raymond andcompass! What could Captain Raymond have doneof this compass? I should ask grandfather.'

Samarth ran to his house with compass andasked grandfather, “Who was Captain Raymond?”

“Captain Raymond was a British officer?” “Did you see him?”“Yes, I remember

vaguely. He often camealong with 10-12 friendson their horses. Allhad guns and somehorses had heavyiron boxes on theirbacks. I used tohide behind

bushes and watch.”“Raymond and his friends did not appear good

men. They stayed at Damdama House for manydays. There were parties,” grandfather toldSamarth about Captain Raymond.

Suddenly, Samarth thought, 'Was CaptainRaymond a pirate? Possibly he came to DamdamaHouse to hide all the things he looted from theboatmen and ships.

‘If Captain Raymond was a pirate, he wouldhave surely hidden his treasure somewhere inDamdama House.'

Samarth immediately opened his computer andsent some e-mails.

One day, a team of officers from the ArchaeologicalDepartment arrived at the Damdama House.

They were there on the information given by Samarththrough e-mail. The officers team had many labourerswho were carrying spades and other diggingequipments with them.

They started digging the house. Many irontreasure boxes came out from the earth which werefilled with gold coins.

This was Captain Raymond's treasurer which hehad hidden in Damdama House.

The officers were very happy when they foundit. They congratulated Samarth and thanked himfor telling them about the treasure. He was awardeda medal by the government.

The secret of Damdama House was revealed. Buthe was happier finding the compass which actuallycould make him conclude that Captain Raymondwas not a government officer but a leader of thepirates. ●

78 Champak

ARYAN WAS about to leave for his school,when his mother said, “Aryan, after theschool, sell off these old newspapers to the

hawker.”“Ok, Mummy,” replied Aryan.On returning Aryan asked his mother, “Mummy,

I don't see the old newspapers?”“Oh! Yes, the hawker had come in the afternoon

and he bought all the old newspapers at the rate ofRs. 10 per kg.”

“Rs. 10 a kg. But the market rate for the oldnewspapers is Rs. 7 per kg?”

Little later, Aryan went to play at his friend

by Anil Satija

HawkerHawker, The Gang, The GangMemberMember


Harsh's house. His mother was selling the oldnewspapers to the hawker. Aryan asked thehawker, “You bought the newspapers from thehouse number 174 in the afternoon, is not it?”

“Yes, and I had paid the cost of the newspapers.”“Really, then show me your weighing scale.”

Aryan asked the hawker.On inspecting the weighing scale he found the

weighing scale was fine.The hawker paid for the newspaper to Harsh's

mother and asked for a glass of water.“Yes, just wait, I will get the water for you,” said

Harsh's mother and she went inside the kitchen.

The hawker kept standing and kept lookingaround in the house.

Aryan came out and said to Harsh, “Why thehawker is paying extra price for the newspapers? Ihave my own doubts.”

“You are always in the habit of doubtingeverybody. Why are you after the poor hawker?Leave him.”

Gradually, the days passed by.

Thefts had started taking place in the colony atnight. The police were also worried. Aryan had

asked everybody to remain alert.One day, on their way, Aryan and Harsh came

across the same hawker.“Hey, you were not seen in the locality for the

past 3-4 days?” asked Aryan.“Yes, yes, I was visiting my house in Jamalpur,”

the hawker stammered and he hurriedly walkedahead.

“He is telling a white lie. Jamalpur is quite far80 Champak

away. One can travel to Jamlapur only by train orbus. Nobody can return from Jamapur in 3 days. Ittakes minimum 5 days to return from Jamalpur.”

“Then he must have flown to Jamalpur,” saidHarsh who was visibly irritated.

“You fool, Jamalpur is a small village. There isno flight to Jamalpur,” Aryan tapped on Harsh'shead.

“Let us follow him,” suggested Aryan. Harsh and Aryan started following the hawker

at a safe distance.After walking a little distance, the hawker took

a cab. Both the young detectives also hired a caband started chasing the hawker.

“What is your name?” Aryan asked the taxidriver.

“Kundan,” replied the taxi driver and he keptquiet.

“You see Harsh, no hawker can afford a taxi,”said Aryan.

“You are right. My doubts are confirmed.”After travelling for some time, the hawker got


down from the taxi in front of an old bungalowoutside the city limits.

Aryan asked his taxi driver to stop the taxi andwait for them. They took cover in the bushes nearthe bungalow and began listening to theconversations in the room of the bungalow.

The hawker was telling to his boss, “Nobody issuspecting me in the colony. Mishra family in thecolony is going out on vacations to Shimla for 8days. I have seen silver statutes in their showcase. Ithink they are a rich family.”

“Great, then we can have a big loot beforeleaving this place. You have done a good job,Sarju.”

Suddenly, Sarju saw young detectives peepinginside the bungalow. He was surprised and

said, “How come these young boys have reachedthis place? These fellows are keeping an eye on us.Catch them ... Hurry up.”

Aryan and Harsh ran to their taxi. The thievesfrom the bungalow gave them a hot chase.

The taxi driver had seen the Aryan and Harshrunning towards the taxi. He started the taxi anddrove away. Thieves could not catch the youngdetectives.

Aryan immediately called up the police over hismobile phone and appraised them with the latestinformation about the thieves.

Soon, the police raided the old bungalow. Thethieves were busy gathering all the stolen stuff. Alittle delay would have helped them to escape.

At the end, all the residents of the colonyfelicitated Aryan and Harsh for their presence andsmart action. ●

82 Champak

(REGISTERED) RNI 26884/75 DL(C)-14/1094/09-11 WPP U(C) 145/75/2009-11

Documents

Champak Oct(Second)09