The Lost Camel

    By t.praburaj

    The Lost Camel cover image

    15 Mar, 2024

    a man in a yellow shirt and white turban walking through a forest with trees and bushes on either side, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bholekar Srihari, character portrait

    Tenali Raman was strolling along a forest path, lost in thought, when he was abruptly halted by a merchant. The stranger seemed anxious, his eyes frantically searching the area around them.

    a man in a turban walking down a street with a lot of people around him and a basket of oranges, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Anthony Devas, official art

    “I’m looking for my camel which has strayed away. Did you see it passing by?” asked the merchant. Raman, ever the observer, thought for a moment before responding.

    a camel is standing in a street with people around it and a man in a turban is standing next to it, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Clint Cearley, orientalism

    “Had the camel hurt its leg?” asked Raman, his gaze never leaving the merchant. The merchant seemed taken aback by the question but nodded affirmatively.

    a man in a green sari standing in front of a market filled with oranges and other fruit, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Ella Guru, promotional image

    “Oh yes! That means you have seen my camel!” exclaimed the merchant, his eyes lighting up with hope. Raman simply shook his head and pointed at the ground.

    a man standing in front of a herd of animals in a field with a tree and a hut in the background, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bapu, official art

    “Only its footprints. See, you can see footprints of an animal with three legs,” said Raman, indicating the marks on the earth. “It was dragging the other leg because it was hurt in that leg.”

    a man in a blue turban standing in a market with lots of oranges and other fruits, samikshavad, a character portrait, Altoon Sultan, orientalism

    “Was it blind in one eye?” Raman asked the merchant, who quickly confirmed this with an eager nod. “And was it loaded with wheat on one side and sugar on the other side?” Raman continued.

    a painting of a man in a blue turban and a yellow scarf standing in front of a crowd of men, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bholekar Srihari, official art

    “Yes, you are right,” said the merchant, growing more excited. “So you have seen my camel!” Raman, however, looked upset at the misunderstanding.

    a man in a yellow vest and orange vest holding a bird in his hand while standing in front of a crowd of people, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Anthony Devas, official art

    “Did I say I saw your camel?” Raman asked, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. “I saw no camel,” he added, much to the merchant's dismay.

    a man in a green outfit walking through the desert with a stick in his hand and a desert landscape behind him, hurufiyya, a character portrait, Altoon Sultan, character portrait

    “You have given the exact description of my camel,” countered the merchant, unable to hide his confusion. Raman simply pointed at the plants lining the path.

    a man in a white shirt and blue pants walking through a forest with trees and plants on either side of him, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bhupen Khakhar, character portrait

    “Do you see those plants lined up on both sides of this path? Some animal has eaten leaves of plants on the left, but the plants on the other side remain untouched. So the animal could see with only one eye."

    a painting of a man sitting on the ground surrounded by bags of grain and a man with a mustache, samikshavad, a character portrait, Anthony Devas, highly detailed digital painting

    “Look down. You can see ants lined up on this side which means, the animal was loaded with sugar bag on this side. The bag had a hole, which allowed the sugar to fall off.”

    a man carrying bags of grain in a market place with people walking around him and a man in a turban, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Altoon Sultan, official art

    “You can see grains of wheat fallen on the other side. The bag on this side also must have holes in it,” said Raman, making his observations crystal clear.

    a man with a turban and a beard standing in front of a market filled with oranges, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bholekar Srihari, high detail illustration

    “I can see everything you showed me,” protested the merchant,”but I still don’t see my camel.” Raman simply smiled at the merchant's baffled expression.

    a man in a green outfit walking through a forest with trees and leaves on the ground and a trail, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bholekar Srihari, official art

    “You follow this trail and soon you will catch up with your animal. After all, it is hurt in one leg and you seem to be hale and hearty,” advised Raman. The merchant seemed hesitant but decided to trust Raman.

    a man walking in the desert with a camel in his hand and a camel in the background with a sun in the sky, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Asaf Hanuka, desert

    The merchant, taking Raman's advice, followed the trail left by the camel. He walked slowly, observing the signs pointed out by Raman, his heart pounding with anticipation.

    a couple of people walking down a forest path together in the woods with backpacks on their backs and a backpack on their shoulders, serial art, poster art, Atey Ghailan, official art

    As he moved deeper into the forest, the footprints and other signs became more obvious. He could see the disturbed foliage, the grains of wheat, and the trail of ants feasting on the fallen sugar.

    a camel standing in the desert with a sky background and clouds in the sky above it, with a desert landscape in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Soon, he saw a silhouette limping along in the distance. As he neared, he could make out the figure of his lost camel. Tears welled up in his eyes as he rushed towards the poor animal.

    a camel standing in the desert with a desert landscape in the background and a sky with clouds above it, serial art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, desert

    The camel seemed to recognize its master and let out a soft, relieved grunt. The merchant, overjoyed, hugged the camel, tears streaming down his face.

    two men walking in the desert with camels in the background at sunset or dawn, with a camel in the foreground, hurufiyya, a storybook illustration, Asaf Hanuka, desert

    Back on the path, Raman had watched the whole scene unfold from a distance. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he saw the merchant and camel reunite.

    a man holding a plate of food in front of a crowd of people in india, with a man in a sari holding a plate of food, samikshavad, a storybook illustration, Bholekar Srihari, jayison devadas

    The merchant, filled with gratitude, returned to Raman, thanking him profusely for his help. Raman simply nodded, saying that anyone who observed closely could see the signs.

    a man walking down a street with a camel in the background and a man in a turban, samikshavad, a character portrait, Altoon Sultan, comic cover art

    With that, the merchant and his camel departed, leaving Raman alone on the path. He resumed his walk, his mind already wandering to the next adventure that awaited him.

    a painting of a man in a blue and yellow outfit standing in front of a crowd of people in india, samikshavad, a character portrait, Bholekar Srihari, official art

    Once again, Tenali Raman's sharp observation and quick wit had saved the day. His name would be remembered in the tales of the merchant, as the man who found a lost camel without ever seeing it.

    The Lost Camel

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