The Roaring Lambs-Sreedhar Bevara

Book: The Roaring Lambs: A Fable About Finding the Leader in You
Author: Sreedhar Bevara
Publisher: HarperCollins India

What is one quality that you think makes a person a leader?

The Roaring Lambs by Sreedhar Bevara is a fable that tells the story of how situations can bring out leadership qualities in a person. Set in Mau forest of East Africa, the story is about a flock of sheep who are brutally killed by the Lions, led by Kaizaar. With his own interpretation of the Law of the Jungle, the Lions have started harassing the sheep and other animals in the food chain. Ministered by the Shrewd Shaka, a former leader of the lambs who has betrayed his own for selfish gains, Kaizaar wreaks havoc on his subjects. The question is, can a flock of lambs roar, and take on the King of the Jungle? This is a story that inspires, and brings out the qualities of a true leader.

The idea behind the book is very imaginative, and it basically builds on the quote by Alexander the Great which opens the book. Told in an engaging way, the fable is quite inspiring, and I loved the way the author has tried to send his message across. Starting with a problem that seems to have no solution, Sreedhar through the characters, gives us anecdotal evidence that shows how even the weakest of people can face the strongest of they have a proper will. The language of the book is simple, and there are no complex or long words that would confuse you, rather it adopts an approach so that the pace is such that the reader is comfortable while journeying through the forest.

Another good thing about the fable is the way things mirror the situations between the first half and the second half, and how that ties in with the idea of an effective leadership. While Kaizaar is shown to be a leader with an ego, Shuja comes across as humble. Queen Leela is another character who shows remarkable leadership skills, and being a pragmatic character, reacts as per the situation. Other characters such as Kesan, Kaboo, and Akili also impressed me with their stands and stances throughout the fable.

Overall, the story is a definite recommendation for anyone who is a leader, or aspires to be one. Containing some crucial lessons, this fable is a must read and it scores a 4.69/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.