Free A Guide to the Beasts of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson Page A

the move from cigarettes to cigars, the company had
     done well, mainly as an exporter. Since Mr Malik had taken over the running of the firm
     on his father’s death in 1964, it had continued to prosper. But about three years
     ago Mr Malik began to notice orders drying up. The problem, as his daughter Petula soon
     discovered, was China.
    ‘They are cutting into our markets,
     Daddy. I’ve been looking into it – similar product, cheaper price. It’s the
     labour costs, you see.’
    ‘But can’t we –?’
    ‘Improve our product? There’s
     only so much you can do with rolled-up leaves, Daddy, and I think you’ll have to
     agree that we’ve done it.’
    ‘What about –?’
    ‘Cutting costs? We can’t compete
     on wages, so the only way we can cut costs is to improve efficiency. The only way we can
     do that is to shed labour and invest in new plant.’
    ‘Shed labour? You mean, sack
     people?’
    At the last count the Jolly Man
     Manufacturing Company had 132 people on the payroll, each of whom Mr Malik considered as
     more or less part of his larger family.
    ‘Out of the question. Isn’t there
     something else we can do?’
    Petula thought.
    ‘What we might be able to do, Daddy
     dear, is diversify.’
    When four old but still serviceable
     Brückner and Gabell confectionery production machines came up for a good price in
     Kampala, Petula bought them and had them shipped by rail to Nairobi. The new venture
     took off like a rocket.
    Much of its success was due to Mr
     Malik’s reputation. His staff liked him, his suppliers and distributors trusted
     him. It was also due in large part to Petula’s inspired idea to use African animal
     names for the new products. Although jelly babies have a worldwide following, what
     African child could resist biting the head off a Jiant Jelly Jiraffe? And while
     lollipops are lovely and gobstoppers are great, wouldn’t you rather get your
     tongue to work on a Lion All-Day Licker or suck on an Elephant Ball (available in a
     handy two-pack)?
    And so the Jolly Man Manufacturing Company
     began winding down its cigar operations and winding up production of bonbons.

9
The rhino eats the melon, but kills the
     lion
    ‘Gentlemen, and ladies.’
    Other than at the regular Sunday curry
     tiffin, ladies were still an unusual sight at the Asadi Club. Tonight was an exception.
     News of the Lord Erroll debate had spread and though it was being held on the evening
     before the annual Asadi Club safari, the dining room was packed with members and their
     wives. Even Petula, who never came to the club, had sounded interested but at the last
     minute had phoned her father to say she wouldn’t be able to make it – another CI
     meeting.
    Tiger Singh stood. The room fell silent.
    ‘This is, as you know, an unusual
     event. Tonight at the Asadi Club, rather than our usual lecture, we are going to examine
     a crime. The crime is murder. This is not, of course, a trial – it is a debate between
     two of our members, Mr Gopez and Mr Patel. But it is in many ways like a trial, with
     you, ladies and gentlemen, as the jury. As in a court of law, you will not be called
     upon to make a moral decision, though morality may well be discussed. You will be called
     upon to make a decision of fact. Certain facts are undisputed, and I will outline them
     shortly. Other facts are disputed, and I will allow the debaters themselvesto describe to you whichever of these they think you will find
     pertinent.’
    The Tiger adjusted his gold-framed
     spectacles low on his splendid nose.
    ‘The people involved in the case are,
     with one exception, now dead. No new witnesses will be called, no new evidence
     presented. Such evidence as will be presented is in the public domain. I’m sure
     many of you will be familiar with much, if not all, of it. Some of you may even have
     formed your own judgement about the guilt, or innocence, of one or more of the parties
     involved. Should you have done so,