Travel and Adventure
The watchman and his tunnel
Meet the watchman who looks after the tunnel.
About fifteen metres from the tunnel stood the watchman's hut, with marigolds in front and a small vegetable patch at the back.
His job was to inspect the tunnel and keep it clear of obstacles (things that block the way). Here's his system:
| All well | Danger | |
|---|---|---|
| by day | walk the tunnel before the train, then go back to the hut and nap | walk up the line and wave a red flag, so the driver slows down |
| by night | inspect with an oil lamp, then hang the lamp at his door and sleep | wave the lamp at the coming engine |
Of course, he wouldn't stop the train for a porcupine on the line, only for real danger!
He was settling down for his afternoon nap when Suraj came out of the tunnel. "Welcome, welcome. I don't often have visitors. Sit down, and tell me why you were inspecting my tunnel."
"Is it your tunnel?" "It is truly my tunnel, since no one else will have anything to do with it. I have only lent it to the Government." (A funny, proud way of saying he's the only one who really cares for it!)
Suraj told him what he'd seen on the hill. "It was a leopard. My leopard." "Do you lend it to the Government too?" "I do not." "Is it dangerous?" "No, it's a leopard that minds its own business. It comes to this range (area) for a few days every month."
The watchman, Sunder Singh, invited Suraj back for the night mail train, at about nine o'clock. "Will it be safe?" "Of course. It's safer in the jungle than in the town. Last month in town, I was almost run over by a bus!"
Then he lay down with a banana leaf over his face to keep the flies off: "The animals also rest in the heat of the day. It is only the tribe of boys who cannot, or will not, rest."
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