Not jungle, ‘human raj’ sucks

Mary Parmar

There was much commotion in the jungle. Animals and birds were taking out a rally. The fluttering and screeching of the birds and the growling, snarling of the animals, both big and small, echoed in the jungle. The eagle who frequently flew over the human kingdom had reported that the humans often referred with contempt to ineffective governance as ‘jungle raj’. This was the reason for the rally under the leadership of the cunning vixen, who wanted to show her importance as well as please their king, the Lion. How dare the humans treat the governance of the Lion King with contempt! ‘Jungle raj’ was better than ‘human raj’, this was their conviction. To reconfirm it, they reached the doorstep of his majesty. 

The Lion King came out of his den-castle and pacifying the angry crowd, said: ‘Calm down, ‘jungle raj’ is very different from ‘human raj’. In fact, it is incomparable and much better. We follow the law of nature, be it the survival of the fittest. We kill only for our needs and survival. We have no greed, we do not hoard and hide. All creatures of the forest have access to the wealth of the jungle and according to their strength and need, are free to take it. Our rules are simple and clear and all understand and follow them. As for humans, their mental horizon is very limited. They are intolerant of one another. In the name of region, religion, caste, creed, wealth etc., the human species kill and destroy one another. Due to their lust and greed, they commit many heinous crimes, which we animals cannot even imagine. They call themselves intellectuals, yet they do not know one basic thing, i.e., nature prevails over each and everyone, and yet, they are out to destroy nature with their so-called knowledge.’

Taking a deep growl and licking his lips he continued, ‘There is no law and order even in their so-called democratic setup of governance, which they say is the best form of governance. In all the branches of governance, everyone has his own axe to grind, forgetting the common good. They make rules and regulations, but with many ifs and buts. Many clauses and sub-clauses are added to suit and accommodate the greed of the lawmakers and law-enforcers. Everyone has the freedom to break them and punitive actions are rare. Theory and practice differ. The applicability of rules changes so often that it would put even a chameleon to shame.

‘So, my dear jungle folks, do not be upset. We, the creatures of the jungle, are far more superior to the humans as far as governance is concerned.  We follow the jungle rules and any breach of it is fatal. As for the humans, rules are for fools. Yet, there are many who live in a fool’s paradise. Perhaps it is due to these people the human race has survived and is surviving. Long live these people and let their tribe grow,’ the Lion concluded. 

The jungle crowd was satisfied listening to the wise words and started dispersing, wagging their tails and nodding their heads.