TAMING OF THE SHREW

  

The Ellis’ garden is always full of surprises. Something new, something different keeps cropping up or visiting our garden. It could be a bird, insect, reptile or even a plant. One has to keep a keen eye to notice them and acknowledge their presence.

 

As I sat in the veranda breaking roti into bite size pieces for the sparrows and doves, from the corner of my eye, I could see them chirping excitedly. They knew their breakfast would be served very soon. Having fed the fish, refilled grains in the grain feeder, spreading bajra on the road was not enough for them. They wanted roti and roti was served.

 

From the corner of my eye, an unusual movement got noticed under the pot stand. Recently, I had shifted two aquatic plant bowls to the veranda, to make space for the rain lilies. Somewhere behind those bowls I saw a silhouette. It could have been a lizard, or a chameleon. I have not seen them that active in our garden so early. Could it be a mouse?

 

Mice and rats are quite common here. Recently, we had to carry out a campaign against them. They were creating havoc in the kitchen drawers and dustbins at night. Some of them even startled my wife when she went to keep utensils for washing. The rat was of the size of a guinea pig.

 

Along with it, it brought his whole family of mama rats, uncle rat, nephew and nieces. We had to lay a trap and catch them before they could upset our stomachs as they left behind their “trademarks” wherever they visited.

 

I didn’t want to scare this one away but wanted to know who it was. Lo and behold, it walked out when it must have sensed  that the coast is clear and there is no danger to its life. It was from the rat family.

 

A “Shrew” or “musk rat”, because of a very strong odour they release from their bodies. For a change, this one was quite big, like a plantain. The distinct feature was its snout/nose. It was elongated like a mini trunk. The nostrils were clearly visible.

 

How I wished I had my camera with me; the moment was worth a capture. The muskrat walked under the pot stand and came to the ‘water mosaic’ bowl. It did a pull up holding the side and lifted itself to its berm. A few quick sips and it jumped off and moved behind other pots nearby.

We have had shrews visit us off and on. Cats do not eat them because of their pungent smell. I remember last rainy season; I heard a rustling sound near the ‘watering can’. There was no need to water the plants, so this can was lying idle. I wanted to empty the can lest mosquitoes lay their eggs as it was mosquito season too.

 

As I lifted it up to throw the water away. There was a shrew floating in it. Poor chap had drowned. This can was half filled and the shrew would have toppled over. Finding no grip to come out of it, it kept swimming inside and finally would have given up and met its fate. Then onwards, we keep this can empty, unless required or upside down. It was to avoid some other animal/reptile falling into it and kicking the bucket literally.

 

My instinct said that the one on the move was on a look out for breakfast and would reappear soon and it did. By the time I fetched my camera, it moved away to our neighbour’s compound and I let it pass. Hopefully, tomorrow it will revisit the bowl again.

 

Now I realised why it visited this bowl full of water. Our Shrew must be visiting it when it has been kept outside regularly for a drink. When it didn’t find it there, it ventured to find it. These guys can smell water and know the place where they can find water. That pull would have got it here.

 

The only thing odd I noticed with this wanderer was that generally shrews are very agile and fast-moving creatures. Our friend had all the time in the world to explore the surroundings, moving at a snail’s pace, halting, looking at me, looking left and right and marching to the tune of slow march. Quite unusual was my observation.

 

I have heard shrews squeak with a very piercing shrill and loud voice. This one was silent and moved very stealthily, looking out for an insect and some water. It posed for me when I did not have a camera. Reminded me of a movie called Taming of the SHREW.

 

Will it model for me again? I wonder!!!

 

JAI HIND

© ® NOEL ELLIS