A Child's Indian Odyssey

This is a novel, but it is based on a true story. Jim, a small English boy, age 7 years, sets off from his home in Calcutta, desperate to find his beloved Ayah, who has been dismissed from the family's service because of his misdeeds. Racked with guilt he desperately wants to say he is sorry. He knows that her village is north and east of Calcutta and climbs aboard a train going north from Calcutta rail yard. He knows that the sun rises in the east, so when the train stops he jumps off and start's walking towards the rising sun. His journey takes him 1,500 miles across north east India; he has many adventures on the way, and eventually is obliged to join a tribe of Naga headhunters. There his search stalls, and he is absorbed into the tribe, learns the skills of a jungle hunter, witnesses the taking of Japanese heads,and falls in love with a beautiful young Naga girl. Because of a pre-arranged marriage contract his love is forbidden, and Jim, now a young man, is forced to leave his tribe.he decides to return home to his English family, and sets off again, this time retracing his route, This return journey is set against the upheavals and agonies of Partition, and Jim's family are forced to leave India.Jim is given a haircut, forced into a Sahib's suit and is sent to an English Boarding school. Imagine the culture shock.