Brave Boy and the Kidnapper

by Vaman Acharya
(Bengaluru, Karntaka, India)

Three kilometers away from the Sarangpur town there was a mini
forest called Tapovan spread in the area of approximately ten
acres. This forest was called as a notified and protected area. The
forest was fully covered with the tall trees with ever green broad
leaves. People of the town were afraid of going over there even
during the day time. They were under the blind belief that besides
wild animals, there was a presence of ghosts in the forest. As
such, there was absolutely no movement of the people in that
area.

One day afternoon about 1 p.m., two persons were present in the
dreaded place and engaged in an heated argument.

Why did you bring me here? asked Nakul, a young boy of 12

years, to the other person.

I am a kidnapper. I want a favour from you.

What do you want?

Recently, your dad was lucky to win a bumper lottery. You have
to tell your dad over mobile phone that you are a victim of kidnap.
To release you, a ransom of Rupees one lakh to be handed over to
a person, who approaches him right now. He is a tall, middle aged
man, with big mustache and long gray hair. Also tell your dad not
to become too smart to report police. If you dont oblige me,
today would be the last day in your life.
Who said my dad won a bumper lottery?
I have read it in the news paper.
It is false news, argued Nakul.

Both entered into never ending heated argument. The stranger

took out a country knife from his bag. Realizing the situation,
Nakul had left with no option except to find out the way for his
self protection. He had undergone two years karate training in the
school. He used different tricks of karate to protect himself from
the dangerous situation. In the scuffle, Nakul was successful in
pulling out the knife from him and tied him with the rope brought
by the kidnapper. The tussle was over after two hours.

The kidnapper had never expected such kind of a situation. He

begged Nakul to forgive him as he was not a kidnapper and
revealed his profile. Nakul took him to the police station with the
help of an autorikshaw on the road and lodged a complaint
against the kidnapper.

While interrogation at the police station, it was revealed that he

was not a professional kidnapper. He was an unemployed,
disgruntled, college dropout youth. He did not complete the Pre-
University Course even after several attempts. He wanted to take
up easy means of earning money. The weapon he was in
possession was not a real knife. It was further revealed that
kidnapping of Nakul was just to gain an experience and not to
harm him. He had picked up Nakul casually outside his school.
Winning bumper lottery was just a false story fabricated by the
kidnapper. He disclosed his name as Manu.

Police Sub Inspector Abdul Nazir Sab after due enquiry prepared a
First Information Report duly signed by Nakul with two witnesses.
Manu was kept in the police custody for further investigation.
Abdul Nazir Saab himself escorted Nakul up to his house.
There was a small crowd in front of Nakuls house. Press reporters
were waiting there to interview Nakul. He was a victim of kidnap
and undergone tortures under the kidnapper Manu.

Nakul replied several questions asked by the reporters, boldly.

Nakul, can you tell us how the kidnapper abducted you?

Sir, as usual, I went to school in the morning by walk. I was

returning home at 12 noon. An unknown person behind me came
and took me away to the auto within a span of one minute. I
became unconscious due to the smell of some chemical used on
me. When I regained consciousness, I realized that I was in an
unknown place with the presence of a stranger, who happens to
be a kidnapper. You may collect the subsequent detailed report
with Sub Inspector of Police in the form of FIR.

The press reporters were happy and parted him with full
satisfaction.

Nakuls mom Yashoda and dad Maniram, both were working as

teachers in the same private higher secondary school, where their
son was a student of 6th standard. They belonged to lower middle
class. The kidnappers always target wealthy persons children for
a ransom. Nakul was undergoing karate training in the school
since two years under the guidance of expert Karate teacher
Yogeshwar, which became useful to him in such a situation.

The entire episode right from abduction, turmoil of the victim,

scuffle between the two and lastly exhibiting the heroic act of
victim was ended within a span of three hours. It commenced at
12 noon and ended at 3 p.m.
In the felicitation meeting held at the school, the members
present spoke on the rare achievement of Nakul.

"What a brave boy Nakul is, who managed to catch hold of the
kidnapper after more than two hours of scuffle in a dreadful place
like Tapovana! He deserves all kinds of appreciation, praised
the Head Master.

The Karate teacher Yogeshwar was also happy. Nakul came out
of his harrowing experience. I am happy that he was saved
because he knew the tricks of karate. He certainly is a boy of
extreme strong character at this young age of 12, appreciated
his Karate teacher.

His mom Yashodha praised her sons act of bravery.

His dad Maniram said, I am really proud of being a father of such

a wonderful son.

The school management was happy to hear the brave act of

Nakul. In a special meeting, the management of the school
decided to recommend the name of Nakul to Government of India
for honouring him with Bravery Award.