NOVEL DAWA: The Story of a stray Dog in Bhutan By: Aum Kunzang Choden

1. NOVELDAWA: The Story of a stray Dog in BhutanBy: Aum Kunzang Choden

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

3. INTRODUCTION:

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The novel can be fruitfully divided into three sections of study: • Section I – The journey from Paro to Thimphu. • Section II – The Journey to Bumthang. • Section III – Dawa’s final journey back to Thimphu.

9. 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.

10. Chapter 1 – Who is Dawa? • Physical appearance and inner qualities of Dawa today. • Physical characteristics of young Dawa in the past. • Dawa’s family and his early life. • The experiences that Dawa undergoes in becoming an orphan. • Recognition of his latent talents. • How the protagonist got the name Dawa (his other names). • Dawa’s previous life and the concept of rebirth & Karma (Lay Jumdey).

11. Chapter 2 – Dawa in Thimphu. • Introduction to Molay. • Dawa’s Lineage to reveal his character. • Description of the journey to Thimphu. • How Dawa discovered his talent by accident in Thimphu.

12. Chapter 3 – Dawa is Educated. • Dawa’s leadership qualities. • His encounter with Dampa. • The importance of Dzongkha. • The impact of TV on life in Bhutan. • The roles of Dampa and Molay. • The tension between the dog Dawa and the linguist Dawa. • The protagonist’s encounter with the maid, Sonam Pem.

13. Chapter 4 – The Underdog. • Responsibilities of the different dog leaders……. Leader of Territories, Leader of Warning and Signals, and the Leader of Howling. • The rules of the pack. • Dawa’s misunderstanding with the leader of territories. • The burdens of being a leader. • Dawa’s urge to leave his leadership.

14. Chapter 5 – Dawa runs away. • This chapter describes a turning point in the protagonist’s life. • 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) • Significance of the story of Gelong Ma Pelmo to his change in attitude and his determination to recover. • The role of Dampa. • The beginning of his journey towards Bumthang. • Dawa in Wangdue… “The dogs bear the price for human cleaniness…”

15. Chapter 6 – One, Two, Three Passes. • The concept of how the protagonist feels after stealing food out of hunger. • The concept of Love at first sight. • The experience at Chendenji. • The characterization of the dogs in Trongsa. • Difference between dogs in Thimphu & dogs in Trongsa

16. Chapter 7 – Dawa in Mongar. • The deportation of dogs. (from Bumthang to Mongar). • The encounter & experience with the Grisly Old Dog in Mongar. • Dog dynamics in Mongar - similarities between the dog world and the human world. • The legend of Kikila. (Journal on the passes (Laa) that Dawa crosses). • Significance of Kikila in relation to Dawa’s journey towards his destiny.

17. Chapter 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.

18. Chapter 9 – Dawa in Tang • Differences in setting of Bumthang, Paro, Thimphu Mongar, & Wangdue, in contrast to setting created in Tang. • Human Meetings and Dog meetings. • The harsh and rustic rural life in Tang. • Difficulty in communicating with the dzongkhag head quarter. • Encounter with the big Shepherd dog and his way to Thowadrak.

19. Chapter 10 – Dawa in Thowadrak • Dawa’s Journey to Thowadrak. • Dawa in Thowadrak. • Encounter with the Lam and Gelong Phuntsho. • Difficulty and Confusion of finding Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave. • Meeting with the Hermit under meditation. • Explain the Simile “These youngsters are more like mountain goats than monks”

20. Chapter 11 – The Full Moon Night • Dawa finds a cave as shelter. • Encounter with three women pilgrims. • The Bhutanese custom of Chanjey. • The Auspicious day – Dawa gets a load of positive remarks from the care-taker of the temple. • Dawa finds Gelong Ma Pelmo’s Cave. • Dawa’s Animal Instinct of howling and its relation with the full moon night. • The significance of the full moon night.

21. …Cont… 8. Dawa’s faith in the healing process. 9. Story of Gelong Ma Pelmo. 10. The CURE… Dawa feels free and … 11. The Lam’s remarks of his healing. 12. Dawa’s reasons to go back to where it all began. 13. The village with 20 houses. 14. Encounter with Markhang and Nomola. 15. Dawa’s experience at Kidiphu.

22. Chapter 12 – Back to Where it all began • Dawa back in Paro. • Development and its impacts. • Molay’s Death. (Dawa’s prayers) • Dawa back in Thimphu. • Dampa’s Death a long time ago. • In front of Changangkha Lhakhang. • Losing track of time. • Where is Dawa today and what is he doing? How is he like today?

23. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 1.