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Mukherjee gulped. He rolled his eyes a bit, ‘You cannot create obstacles for a housing
project. Sixteen flats are coming up here. A man has already spent lots of money for it.
You cannot prevent us from cutting the trees.’

Grandpa shouted back, ‘You have enough vacant land in the town to build your houses.
You cannot murder the trees for your selfish ends. What you destroy, you can never
replace. Leave us in peace, please!’

Mukherjee began shouting, ‘You silly old man! You are wasting our time. If you don’t
come down now, this minute, I shall come up and drag you down.’

Grandpa’s reply was not in words. He flung down a tin plate.

It hit Mukherjee’s briefcase. He stepped back. So, did the rest of his gang.

They all held up their briefcases like shields. Grandpa was pelting them with empty tins
and apple cores.

Mukherjee’s face was purple with rage. He did not give up. He walked over to the ladder
and began to lift it. ‘Stop! Stop!’ I cried. I ran across the grass. ‘Please go away,’ I said to
Mukherjee. ‘Go away and leave us alone.’

He dropped the ladder and looked furiously at me. ‘Listen, little gentleman, just stay
away.’

His face was red. I did not move. I stood there facing him. I said firmly, ‘You had
better go now. You are upsetting my grandfather. And when he is upset there
will be trouble.’

As I was issuing this warning, another
man sprang forward. He was breathing
hard. ‘Trouble? We have had nothing but
trouble since your stupid grandfather

climbed on that tree. The phones have
been ringing non-stop. We should be off
duty by this time. But people would not let
us rest. That old man is mad. He should be
locked up.’

He took a step forward. I took a step back.
I started to go indoors. But Mukherjee

grabbed hold of my arm and swung me
round. That was where he committed a big
mistake. Tiger flew at him.

‘Take your leg out of our dog’s mouth,’
shouted grandpa.

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