Further ahead, the road wound through a rocky terrain of sandstone and quartzite.

A giant boulder stood precariously at the bend. A lone shimul tree

towered over from behind. Its prickly trunk spread out young silvery

branches. It had shed most of its leaves. Deep crimson flowers had

just begun to bloom.

“I must have a fresh shimul flower for my collection,”

announced Miss Bandicota Bengalensis’s explorer friend.

Promptly, they both rushed to scale the boulder.