NOVELNOVELDAWA: The Story of a DAWA: The Story of a stray Dog in Bhutanstray Dog in Bhutan

By: Aum Kunzang By: Aum Kunzang Choden Choden

ABOUT THE AUTHORABOUT THE AUTHORThe author, Aum Kunzang Choden The author, Aum Kunzang Choden

was born in Bumthang, central was born in Bumthang, central Bhutan in the year of the Dragon Bhutan in the year of the Dragon (1952). She is one of the first writers (1952). She is one of the first writers to chronicle Bhutan’s oral tradition to chronicle Bhutan’s oral tradition in English. Now in her fifties, she has in English. Now in her fifties, she has written a number of short stories, written a number of short stories, which which include Tales of the Yeti, the include Tales of the Yeti, the Yeti in Bhutan,Yeti in Bhutan, and and Folktales of Folktales of BhutanBhutan. Besides these, she has . Besides these, she has written two novels, written two novels, The Circle of The Circle of KarmaKarma, and , and Dawa: The story of a Dawa: The story of a stray dog in Bhutan.stray dog in Bhutan.

INTRODUCTION:

Dawa, the story of a stray dog in Bhutan is the story about the journey of a stray dog in search of self-discovery. The story reveals the hardships that he must face in order to achieve his enlightenment. The story begins with Dawa’s decision to travel beyond his immediate community, Paro. His journey and his pursuit of happiness take him to various destinations experiencing varied experiences, and each of his adventure furthers his personal development.

The main characters in this novel are dogs and the comparison of the dog society and human society lead to interesting discussions and revelations. The protagonist Dawa, matures through various experiences that he undergoes, and tracing his maturity is an interesting exercise.

Dawa is presented as a mild character who respects others, who is curious to learn, humble, sensitive, hard working and determined to achieve his goals. His quest to learn and his perseverance in his journey are positive attributes which he carries with him till the end.

The value of self-knowledge and self-discovery, which takes a lifetime for Dawa, is realized as a result of hardships, losses, hard work, and reflection. The need to belong to a society by building strong bonds of friendship and loyalty, the pursuit of happiness, perseverance, tolerance, leadership, and pursuit of one’s own destiny are a few values reflected in Dawa as a necessary character trait for success.

The novel can be fruitfully divided into three sections of study:

1.Section I – The journey from Paro to Thimphu.

2.Section II – The Journey to Bumthang.

3.Section III – Dawa’s final journey back to Thimphu.

Chapter Synopsis:

The following synopsis provides a brief overview of each chapter, focusing on the various elements of the novella such as setting, plot, characters, (protagonist, antagonist etc), conflict (the problem), rise in action, climax, resolution or denouement (the fall) and theme or message.

Chapter 1 – Who is Dawa?

1.Physical appearance and inner qualities of Dawa today.

2.Physical characteristics of young Dawa in the past.

3.Dawa’s family and his early life.4.The experiences that Dawa undergoes

in becoming an orphan. 5.Recognition of his latent talents. 6.How the protagonist got the name

Dawa (his other names). 7.Dawa’s previous life and the concept of

rebirth & Karma (Lay Jumdey).

Chapter 2 – Dawa in Thimphu.

1.Introduction to Molay.2.Dawa’s Lineage to reveal

his character.3.Description of the journey

to Thimphu.4.How Dawa discovered his

talent by accident in Thimphu.

Chapter 3 – Dawa is Educated.

1.Dawa’s leadership qualities.2.His encounter with Dampa.3.The importance of Dzongkha.4.The impact of TV on life in

Bhutan.5.The roles of Dampa and Molay.6.The tension between the dog

Dawa and the linguist Dawa.7.The protagonist’s encounter with

the maid, Sonam Pem.

Chapter 4 – The Underdog.1.Responsibilities of the

different dog leaders……. Leader of Territories, Leader of Warning and Signals, and the Leader of Howling.

2.The rules of the pack.3.Dawa’s misunderstanding with

the leader of territories.4.The burdens of being a leader.5.Dawa’s urge to leave his

leadership.

Chapter 5 – Dawa runs away.This chapter describes a turning point in the

protagonist’s life. 1.Dawa’s experience with mange. Dawa’s

feeling after contracting mange and his tone of regret about his careless encounter with a fluffy dog. (HIV/AIDS/STI’s)

2.Significance of the story of Gelong Ma Pelmo to his change in attitude and his determination to recover.

3.The role of Dampa.4.The beginning of his journey towards

Bumthang. 5. Dawa in Wangdue… “The dogs bear the

price for human cleaniness…”

Chapter 6 – One, Two, Three Passes.

1.The concept of how the protagonist feels after stealing food out of hunger.

2.The concept of Love at first sight.

3.The experience at Chendenji.4.The characterization of the dogs

in Trongsa.5.Difference between dogs in

Thimphu & dogs in Trongsa

Chapter 7 – Dawa in Mongar.1.The deportation of dogs. (from

Bumthang to Mongar). 2.The encounter & experience with the

Grisly Old Dog in Mongar.3.Dog dynamics in Mongar -

similarities between the dog world and the human world.

4.The legend of Kikila. (Journal on the passes (Laa) that Dawa crosses).

5.Significance of Kikila in relation to Dawa’s journey towards his destiny.

Chapter 8 – Back to BumthangChapter 8 – Back to Bumthang• Encounter with the yellow dog at

Thrimshingla.• In Bumthang town• Meeting with Tangpa and Zorro• Tangpa – The author’s dog or not?• How Zorro got his name.• Encounter with Tangpa and Zorro.• The present modern dog names and

the typical Bhutanese dog names e.g. Tommy & Puppy verses Sintu, Naku and Katu.

Chapter 9 – Dawa in TangChapter 9 – Dawa in TangDifferences in setting of Bumthang, Differences in setting of Bumthang,

Paro, Thimphu Mongar, & Wangdue, Paro, Thimphu Mongar, & Wangdue, in contrast to setting created in Tang.in contrast to setting created in Tang.

Human Meetings and Dog Human Meetings and Dog meetings.meetings.

The harsh and rustic rural life in The harsh and rustic rural life in Tang. Tang.

Difficulty in communicating with Difficulty in communicating with the dzongkhag head quarter. the dzongkhag head quarter.

Encounter with the big Shepherd Encounter with the big Shepherd dog and his way to Thowadrak.dog and his way to Thowadrak.

Chapter 10 – Dawa in ThowadrakChapter 10 – Dawa in Thowadrak1.1. Dawa’s Journey to Thowadrak.Dawa’s Journey to Thowadrak.

2.2. Dawa in Thowadrak.Dawa in Thowadrak.

3.3. Encounter with the Lam and Gelong Encounter with the Lam and Gelong Phuntsho.Phuntsho.

4.4. Difficulty and Confusion of finding Difficulty and Confusion of finding Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave.Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave.

5.5. Meeting with the Hermit under Meeting with the Hermit under meditation.meditation.

6.6. Explain the Simile Explain the Simile “These youngsters “These youngsters are more like mountain goats than are more like mountain goats than monks” monks”

Chapter 11 – The Full Moon NightChapter 11 – The Full Moon Night1.1. Dawa finds a cave as shelter.Dawa finds a cave as shelter.

2.2. Encounter with three women pilgrims.Encounter with three women pilgrims.

3.3. The Bhutanese custom of Chanjey.The Bhutanese custom of Chanjey.

4.4. The Auspicious day – Dawa gets a load The Auspicious day – Dawa gets a load of positive remarks from the care-taker of positive remarks from the care-taker of the temple.of the temple.

5.5. Dawa finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave.Dawa finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave.

6.6. Dawa’s Animal Instinct of howling and Dawa’s Animal Instinct of howling and its relation with the full moon night.its relation with the full moon night.

7.7. The significance of the full moon night.The significance of the full moon night.

……Cont…Cont…

8. Dawa’s faith in the healing process.8. Dawa’s faith in the healing process.

9. Story of Gelong Ma Pelmo.9. Story of Gelong Ma Pelmo.

10. The CURE… Dawa feels free and …10. The CURE… Dawa feels free and …

11. The Lam’s remarks of his healing.11. The Lam’s remarks of his healing.

12. Dawa’s reasons to go back to 12. Dawa’s reasons to go back to where it all began.where it all began.

13. The village with 20 houses.13. The village with 20 houses.

14. Encounter with Markhang and 14. Encounter with Markhang and Nomola.Nomola.

15. Dawa’s experience at Kidiphu.15. Dawa’s experience at Kidiphu.

Chapter 12 – Back to Where it all Chapter 12 – Back to Where it all beganbegan

1.1. Dawa back in Paro.Dawa back in Paro.

2.2. Development and its impacts.Development and its impacts.

3.3. Molay’s Death. (Dawa’s prayers)Molay’s Death. (Dawa’s prayers)

4.4. Dawa back in Thimphu.Dawa back in Thimphu.

5.5. Dampa’s Death a long time ago.Dampa’s Death a long time ago.

6.6. In front of Changangkha In front of Changangkha Lhakhang.Lhakhang.

7.7. Losing track of time.Losing track of time.

8.8. Where is Dawa today and what is Where is Dawa today and what is he doing? How is he like today?he doing? How is he like today?

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEWQUESTIONS FOR REVIEW1.1.