Shepherd

Shepherd

Disappointed over not been able to capture the great Himalayan Monal, I was just treading behind the entire group. So behind that even Kamal ji (our trailing trek guide - I will come to his story later), was way ahead. Suddenly, I took a sharp turn in the forest trail, and saw hundreds of sheep just going downhill through a different trail. I sat and started clicking. He came up from behind me and asked, "Aap film bana rahe ho?" ("Are you making a film?"). I said no. I told him that I missed the Himalayan Monal a few moments ago. He said, "Toh kya hua? Ab aap bhed ki photo le lo. Yeh lo photo" ("So what? Now, you click the sheep. Take a picture now.") As he said so, he waved his stick (on his right) in the air and whistled. Half of the sheep which were still uphill, looked straight at me and into my camera.

It was a crazy encounter. He continued his descent, humming.