LANGUR TURNS ‘SHOPKEEPER’ AT VEGETABLE MARKET

Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

A scene unfolded today at the retail vegetable market in Sriganganagar’s Birbal Chowk that made both vendors and customers pause in surprise. A Langur wandered into the market and promptly sat on a vegetable cart, looking as though it had taken charge of the produce business for the day. Its arrival initially caused a brief stir of alarm; vendors and buyers exchanged wary glances. However, the Langur remained completely calm and composed—it neither jumped around nor lunged at anyone. Seeing its peaceful demeanour, the crowd soon relaxed. The cart- owner, however, stood aside in fear, keeping a watchful eye on his goods from a distance.

The Langur sat on the cart for nearly an hour. Piles of radishes, baskets of cucumbers, cabbages, eggplants, and bottle gourds were arranged before it. The Langur gazed at the produce intently, touching some vegetables and even tasting a few. A couple of people tossed fruit to it from afar, which it ate with relish. Others watched the spectacle from a safe distance; no one ventured close.

Interestingly, not a single customer approached the cart where the Langur was sitting during that entire hour, even though trading continued at neighbouring carts. People speculated that the Langur was simply mimicking what it had observed—customers coming to the cart to buy goods—and had sat there hoping for its own customers. When none arrived, it got up and left, much like a shopkeeper closing up after a slow day of business.

The Langur is currently still roaming the same area. Traders at the market say that, so far, the animal hasn’t caused any trouble. If any issues arise later, the fire department or the forest department will be informed.