Mattaru forgot the difference between land and sky when he struck the thief's head. He never bothered about the thief beating. His world has become upside down. He just wanted a peaceful ride and now his head was spinning. Suddenly everyone got Mattaru in their hands and threw him up in the air and caught him.

Mattaru had become an accidental hero. Chutki was so thrilled with catching the thief. At the right time, the police came and took away the thief. The thief himself pleaded to take him away from the Dadi Chutki and Mattaru trio.

As Dadi and Chutki walked back home, Dadi was smiling. Chutki noticed that.
"Dadi, why are you smiling?"

"I am really happy that you and Mattaru saved my batwa from that thief. You really remind me of your father. In childhood, he used to be protective of others and help them. Especially when it came to thieves. Whenever he saw a thief stealing nearby, he would strike him with a stone and knock him out." Dadi laughed. Chutki grinned as she checked on Mattaru. He was sleeping after all the adventure and the pain he had to take!

When they reached home, Chutki was busy telling that evening's story to everyone. By then Papa had also come from the office. That day, Mummy made special baati chokha with the brinjals and potatoes for celebration.

"Haha! Chutki, you did well with that thief. Finally Mattaru is becoming a part of the family." Papa laughed at the dinner.

"Now who questions my decision to keep Mattaru? He surely is no less than a guard." Mummy exclaimed and everyone laughed. Mattaru had already reached the dining room with the smell of a delicious feast. Afterall, the main hero was him.

"Oh Mattaru has come!" Dadi smiled.

"You were really brave today, Mattaru!" Golu said.

But all Mattaru cared about was baati chokha. He sighed that no one could understand that he wished to have some. Then dada ji took a small crisp portion of baati and dipped it in chokha and kept it in a bowl. He secretly slid it below the table.

On seeing that, Mattaru toiled its way under the dining table and lavished the feast. Today was fabulous!

The next day, Chutki decided to secretly slip Mattaru in her bag. At that time, Golu peeped at Chutki.

"Didi-"

At this Chutki startled with her back facing his younger brother.

"Yes, what happened?" Chutki stuttered.

"Are you sure that you are not taking Mattaru with you?"

"Uh- yes of course! Why will I take him to school? It's unsafe there for him!" Chutki said and hurriedly carried her bag. When she reached the kitchen to have her milk, her mother said, "Have this idli which I cooked fast!"

"Mummy wait-" As Chutki opened her mouth, Mummy already stuffed the big idli in her mouth. She frowned and left for school. On the way, she slid a tiny piece of idli to Mattaru, who nibbled with joy.

First period was surprisingly math. Some students quickly copied the homework. While some were anxious if the teacher would scold them for asking the same doubt from the previous day. When the teacher entered, everyone stood up to wish him.

During math class, Mattaru slid from the bag and crawled its way out. Toiling, it reached the principal's office. He was lucky as the principal was busy checking the school corridors. He climbed up the open cupboard and smiled on seeing the gold trophies kept there.

There was one big trophy shining in the middle. On it was written, 'Inter School Quiz Competition 1st'. That was originally won by the team of five in which Chutki was a member. The winners got their gold medals and the school trophy decorated the cupboard. Mattaru felt so proud to be related to Chutki at that time.

Unfortunately, a thief had sneaked into the school in the disguise of the only peon. Saddened by the news of his cousin getting caught by the police last day at the market, he sought revenge. He wanted to teach the society and the children a good lesson by stealing their precious gold.

"Good gracious the guard didn't suspect it was me. Now it's time to get even."
He tiptoed to the principal office where everything was expensive. It was just a fancy habit of the principal himself. He rubbed his hands on seeing the sparkling trophies of pure gold.

Silently, he collected them. Mattaru was aware of the thief and hid behind the biggest trophy. He wasn't scared, rather he looked for the right time. As if he would let him steal Chutki's hard work.

"Oh my, where is this Mattaru now? He should be in the bag!" Chutki was worried as she shuffled her bag. Saddened, she frowned as the class went on. Her gut felt he was in the principal office behind her class.

As the thief was about to get the biggest trophy shining at the topmost shelf. Mattaru bit him. The thief shrieked out.

"Ah! What is this animal doing here? Get off me you brat!" Mattaru had unusually bit him so hard, the thief went beyond his stealth.

"What is happening there?" The maths teacher and everyone gathered there. They saw the imposter with a bag of trophies. Chutki was terrified of seeing Mattaru hang on the thief's hand.

"Maro! Maro!" The children and teacher alike surrounded him. Mr Seth canned his back and the children punched him everywhere. As the thief fell on the floor, Chutki took Mattaru off the thief.
(T/n- Hit him, hit him!")

Just then the worried principal, guard, peon and a policeman reached the commotion.

"There is the thief's cousin! Sir, I warned you earlier about the revenge the thieves take for catching their relatives." The policeman cuffed the beaten thief.

"You were right sir!" The principal said.

"I really thought that the peon came today, but it was this thief in disguise!" The guard sighed.

"Thank god I came at the right time, so now everything is solved." The peon grinned.

Everyone again flew Mattaru in the air to show his bravery. Then the principal allowed Mattaru in the school and everyone adored him and acknowledged his heroic act.

From an accidental hero, Mattaru had become a brave vigilante.

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T/n~

Idli: steamed rice batter

~To be continued...

Your grateful author,
かな恵ー