Curious Case of Master Shifu!

What if animals could speak our language or even better, what if we could understand theirs?
It would be fascinating (and mildly mortifying) to know what they really think of us. Those wide-eyed, curious stare they often give are endearing to us. But imagine if they are secretly judging the wonder or fear in our eyes.

I’ve had the chance to observe red pandas a few times now. Whether it’s a solitary male, a gentle female, or cubs tagging along close to their mother, our encounters almost always begin with that signature curious look. 

I like to imagine that they’re trying to place us, puzzled at how a new set of humans shows up every day! May be they’re trying to match our faces with memory.

Most of the time, they’ll spend a minute or two sizing us up, equally fascinated and unimpressed at the same time, before going back to their very important panda business. Which, by the way, usually means either curling up in their mossy bed or nibbling bamboo while gliding effortlessly from one branch to another. 

Meanwhile, we are left standing on some precarious edge like confused extras in the film, who are awkwardly fumbling with their cameras and desperately trying not to topple over or lose whatever dignity we are left with :)).

A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to marvel the codes of nature, definitely not without a translator :)).