Tembu is a twelve-year-old boy who lives in a tribal village on the outskirts of a jungle forest in India. He lives there together with his father Baldeo, mother and his young sister. They practiced subsistence rice farming. However, Tembu’s father was forced to work as a watchman for the railroad to supplement the family’s income. Baldeo’s duty was to keep the signal lamp burning and ensure the railroad tunnel was clear.
Tembu accompanied his father on his night duty at the railroad whenever he was not needed back home. He looked forward to the signal inspection, and the anxiety interfered with his sleep when they were out with his father. On that particular night, Tembu barely slept wondering if his father was ready to venture out so that he could join him on the routine inspection of the signal.
"Shall I come too, Father?" asked Tembu sleepily, still lying in a huddle in a corner of the hut. "No, it is cold tonight. Do not get up."
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