Pet untruths

Stuti8217;s first pet was a tiny white guinea pig. My eight-year-old daughter was completely fascinated by its nuzzling ways, cute face, comforting grunts and, above all, fluffy coat. Coriander leaves and green peas 8212; his favourite food 8211; 8211; were stocked up and all information on guinea pigs assiduously collected from all possible sources, including the Internet.

Fluffy became Stuti8217;s instant darling and an item to show bemused guests at parties. In fact, we sometimes threw parties in order to showcase Fluffy. So, what else could we have done but to resort to a fib 8212; when within three months of the grand welcome 8212; Fluffy suddenly died while Stuti was at school? Since my wife and I could not bear to see her unhappy, we told her that Fluffy was seriously sick and had to be hospitalised. That lasted for about a week before Stuti began to inquire relentlessly about the nature of Fluffy8217;s illness. We valiantly kept up with our untruths but her daily nagging soon ended up in frequent bouts of tears.

In a weak effort at closure, I finally told her that doctors had shifted Fluffy back to Jim Corbett, Stuti8217;s favourite wildlife park, as it could not deal with Delhi8217;s pollution any more. 8220;Let8217;s go to Corbett,8221; she promptly exclaimed. By now it had become a classic case of a hundred lies being used to protect one.

Fortunately, her friends happened to drop in at that juncture and Stuti was soon distracted. As I watched them immersed in play, I thought she was beginning to forget Fluffy. That is, until one friend asked how Fluffy was. 8220;Oh, he is visiting his parents in Corbett because Delhi8217;s too dirty,8221; returned Stuti airily.

8220;Corbett! But he8217;ll be eaten up by the tigers there!8221; gasped one little friend.

8220;Tigers? What tigers?8221; retorted Stuti scornfully, little arms on her waist to make a point. 8220;Have you ever seen a tiger there? There are none, so Fluffy8217;s quite safe!8221;