THE SILENCE OF THE HYENA: Stories & A Novella by Syed Muhammad Ashraf [Hardcover]

Syed Muhammad Ashraf is a prominent contemporary Urdu short story writer, known for his imaginative and striking animal stories often set in rural India. His collection, The Silence of the Hyena, features tales imbued with foreboding and danger, showcasing the complex relationships between humans and animals. In "Rogue," three men embark on a hunting trip for a rogue elephant, only to encounter unexpected threats in the mist. "Death of an Antelope" explores the power struggle within a herd of blackbuck, leading to tragic consequences. The trilogy of linked stories about a hyena highlights the fine line between man and animal as they navigate survival in a perilous environment. The novella "Numberdar ka Neela," translated by Musharraf Ali Farooqi, intertwines the fates of a blue bull and a village administrator, illustrating the interconnectedness of their destinies. Overall, the collection delivers unsettling and electrifying storytelling that captures the essence of life on the edge of the jungle.