Zapp: The Squirrel Who Wanted To Fly!

By Staff

Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 13:51

Long years ago William Wordsworth had penned, "Child is the father of man." This profound idea is coming to us in a beautiful manner through Rachit Kinger's debut work Zapp: The Squirrel Who Wanted To Fly! However this 21st century allegory has much more to inspire the readers than this reflective idea. This book will provide you with a mirror to see the hidden dreams in your heart that you've blanketed under the thick sheets of doubts and fears.

The book revolves around the little squirrel Zapp who is only six and half days old as the story begins. He is the representative of the innocent infants who born with a clear mind to adapt the world as it is… His innocence and pure curiosity to know the world wins the hearts of two dangerous species in the society –the poisonous snake named Saap and the mighty eagle named Baaz.

Saap and Baaz inspire Zapp into a world unknown to him. Through their experiences Zapp dreams of a world that can fulfill his dreams and make his life meaningful. He sets out from his own community to venture the world. The interesting twist happens to his quest when in search of finding a deeper meaning to his life, Zapp had to overcome the fear of losing whatever little meaning that had existed in his life.

On his way Zapp meets a snail, a rabbit named Id, the orthodox community of lemmings and its revolutionary youngsters Apple and Orange, a skunk called the learned one/Gyp, the disciplined ants, lazy cows, tricky monkeys, imprudent pigs, the tortoise named Dault and finally a group of little squirrels. He encounters new experiences among each of these species.

Zapp realizes that the jungle is not only unfair to him but so is to other species. Zapp believes that the difference between him/Id and other species is that he/Id chooses to live according to their dreams while the other species "can think what they want but say or do nothing."(P.102) Finally Zapp meets Dault the tortoise whom he was searching to bring to a close the quest of his meaningful journey.

The meeting with Dault opens Zapp's inner eyes. Dault reveals the beautiful secret in life that when you set out to fulfill your dreams things in world may appear to turn against you. However if you accept the things as it is the world is calm before you. On the other end "if you unaccept things there is chaos, madness, frustration and ruin."(P.107) There are so many stars in the world to guide us for a fulfilled life. You can either remain oblivious to these stars or choose one or many to reach the fulfillment. Dault advises Zapp that if he listens to his heart and do everything as per its instructions, he can lead a fulfilled life.

Zapp grows from a six and half days old to a grown up one by the end of the journey. He realizes that he has wings to fly above the dreams and he sets off to the clouds to fulfill the dreams.

The book is a magical allegory. It is a representation of the inner pathos of human life on the present day. The book is recommended to all age groups alike. Children may get related with the dreams of the little squirrel Zapp and will be promised with a bright future where they can fly with their own wings! For others who regret of not fulfilling their inherent dreams, this book is an eye opener. This book may aid you to find the true meaning in your life and will help you to listen to your heart.

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