Come on, Barry, lets go. Weve got work to do! Raja cried, and jumped off the sidewalk.
Look out! someone screamed.
A paw grasped the chipmunk at the tail and pulled him back, just as a big and fast-moving truck swept past.
Raja swung round to face his savior. A blue gray lizard was gawking at him with great curiosity. Barry the Parrot ran to the chipmunk; his beak was wide open of anxiety.
That was close. Youre lucky, Oliver the Lizard said.
Thank you! Raja the Chipmunk exclaimed in agitation; his eyes were huge. The bright turban, he was wearing, crooked.
Trying to get yourself killed, silly you? Barry was furious.
Im all right, Barry. Stop fidgeting! Raja begged him.
Krish the Peacock was running to them at full speed. He was whooping and flopping his wings.
The peacocks are adorable creatures. But the voice sounds hilariously awful. Oliver the Lizard complained when he turned his head and saw the peacock.
Barry lowered his head onto one side and smirked. He said, Krish doesnt think so, and he might be severely offended.
Um Im sorry for being that rude. Im just a depressed lizard with nothing to lose because Ive already lost my tail!
What? Raja the Chipmunk cried out in bewilderment. How do you feel about that? I meanlosing your tail.
I feel awful. Put that in capital letters: AWFUL! Oliver the Lizard moaned, his eyes filled with tears.
Come on, dont cry! Krish said, A good song may help! I know so many cheerful songs, theres one
Krish, wait a moment. Lets ask him a few questions first, the parrot said. Where are you from? And what are you doing in the city of Jaipur?
Im from the forests of Mizoram. Its in Northeast of India where the atmosphere is cool, fresh, and quiet. I came here to find the famous magician Sparky, Oliver said, His magic is powerful enough to make my tail grow again.
You must be wrong with the choice of the person that you are looking for. Sparky is a clown. This is the first time Ive heard that he does magic! Krish the Peacock giggled.
Is Sparky a circus clown? Oliver the Lizard exclaimed. No. Look, nothat cant be the truth.
We arent circus-lovers, but we go to the circus quite often now. We can prove that Sparky is not who you think he is! Raja was thrilled with this news.
All right. But first, I need some water. Im very thirsty. How could you tolerate the days heat? Oliver grumbled. Its unbearable! I was sure I would have gotten used to it eventually, but it sapped every bit of energy out of me. I havent been myself since I lost my tail.
You should start doing something new and exciting! Raja the Chipmunk suggested. The most fun we ever have is when were doing something were not really supposed to!
Perhaps, it will help and youll stop complaining until we find a way to solve your problem with the tail. Krish the Peacock said to the depressed lizard.
Sorry, but I cant really sugar coat my feelings all the time. Oliver said with a sad smile. By the way, talking about new experiences that can distract me from my problemsCan I drive your rickshaw, Raja?
Are you crazy as road lizards? Sorry, you ARE a lizard! Now I realize the reference is lost on you. Raja the Chipmunk was confused. No way! I wont let you drive my rickshaw!
Why? Driving a rickshaw isnt riskier than the other stuff I do. Of course, Im aware of Indian traffic and the lack of any rules, the lizard said, staring quizzically at the chipmunk.
If youve got no experience, my best advice to you is NEVER, and I mean NEVER try to drive yourself in Indiaits suicide! Raja replied in a confident voice.
Did you notice who was driving that crazy truck that you had hardly escaped from? Krish asked.
Well, I didnt really see his face. But I did notice the red orange wig and the bright clown cap! Raja replied.
Coincidence? Krish wondered. No, I dont think so.
CHAPTER FOUR
No trace of the missing elephant and the lions! Barry the Parrot said, and flopped into a chair beside Raja the Chipmunk and Krish the Peacock. He wrinkled his nose in a quizzical expression. Whats about the diary? Have you guessed the meaning of the rhyme?
Not yet, the chipmunk sighed with disappointment.
Lets read Donuts diary again. We must have missed something. I feel it. Barry said, spilling roasted peanuts on the desk. Help yourself!
I WOULDT BE MUTE!
THE LIONS WERE GOOD,
BUT TURNED INTO SOOT.
Well, I think there are no objections to the fact that the lions were good, right? Thats something about soot
Any ideas? Why were they turned into soot? Raja asked.
TO FIND THAT BOOT,
MIME BURNT THE WOOD.
I DO WHAT I SHOULD
I think Donut knew something. The elephant was silenced because he wanted to reveal someones secret. Look, he wrote that he wouldnt be mute! Krish affirmed.
Why did the mime want to find that boot? Barry asked. The mime means clown. Did he go nuts to burn the wood? Where and why did he lose his boot?
I have no idea! Raja felt stupid and helpless.
The experts told me that the elephant was carved from sandalwood, which came from the forests of Mizoram. The birthplace of our new friend Oliver the Lizard! Its interesting, isnt it? Krish took the elephant figurine out of his pocket and put it on the table next to peanuts.
I think we have to find the mime. I mean the clown. As soon as possible. Barry said in a confident voice.
Raja slapped his head and said, While examining Donuts room, I found a clowns fake nose in the drawer!
The driver of that crazy truck was wearing a clowns wig and a hat! Krish the Peacock added.
All the evidence leads to one person. THE CLOWN! Barry the Parrot twittered in anxiety and anticipation.
Its time for action! Raja, stop chomping peanuts. Lets go! Krish whooped.
Raja, offended, turned his head and said, Its not me!
I mean Im not chomping. No peanuts left on the table
They looked at each other. None of them were chewing peanuts at the moment. But someone in the room was!
We must get out! Raja said, his voice rising to a hysterical whine. Out! Out of here! Now!
Wait a moment! Krish looked at the elephant figurine more intently. The figurine turned its head and lifted its trunk in a greeting gesture. It said, Thanks for the peanuts. They were so delicious. Hard to resist.
OhAre you alive or what? Who are you? Krish was stunned.
Im Donut the Elephant, the creature whispered. Or rather, his small and bewitched version.
CHAPTER FIVE
Amita the Juggler was searching Sparkys dressing room. The clown seems to be obsessed with shoes! There are so many of them! Does he change boots every hour? I doubt it. There must be another explanation! But now I cant guess what these shoes and boots are for
Wait a moment! Ive got an idea! Sparky may be hiding something very special among all these shoes! Amita exclaimed. She counted the boots and the shoes. Then she paired them and found an odd boot that had no pair.
There might be something hidden in the boot heel, she thought. Amita took scissors and ripped the heel off. A silver coin flashed inside, reflecting the faint light from the door.
Meanwhile, Krish was looking through morning newspapers; headlines saying, No wild animals are permitted to perform in circuses in India. To stop cruelty against animals in circuses across India From now and then, its illegal to force bears, monkeys, tigers, lions, elephants, dogs, camels, horses, and birds to perform in circuses or any other kind of show!
Have you heard the news? Barry the Parrot dashed into the room. He fluffed his feathers in excitement.
Krish the Peacock replied, Of course. Its everywhere. In the papers and on the circus billboards!
Sparky and others are leaving the circus! They cant perform anymore! Raja shouted as he joined them.
Now they will get dispersed! I meanthe kidnappers. Well have to chase them all over India! Krish lamented.