Smile please: Runaway emu having a ball in Rajasthan village

Residents at Saperon Ki Dhaani (snake charmers’ hamlet) in Rajasthan are not sure where this bird came from, but now all adore this emu that strayed its way to the village after it was chased by a pack of stray dogs. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

Updated on: Sep 22, 2016 11:36 PM IST

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Residents at Saperon Ki Dhaani (snake charmers’ hamlet) in Rajasthan are not sure where this bird came from, but now all adore this emu that strayed its way to the village after it was chased by a pack of stray dogs. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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For now, this is one happy emu, being loved and attended to by an entire village. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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Standing nearly six feet tall, the flightless bird is being taken care of by the villagers who are smitten by the ‘pakshi-janwar’. “We never saw such a strange creature. Seems like some ‘bird-animal,” said one of the villagers. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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Children have taken a special liking to their guest, feeding it their own share of snacks. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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Seven-year-old Pokha Nath was the first to embrace this unknown feathered creature, and that gave confidence to others. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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The emu is kept in an open closure in the village. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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The villagers even keep vigil at night , to guard her from dogs. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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The emu seems comfortable with her new human friends. (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)

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Some locals believe the emu’s arrival from nowhere was divine. “Koi picchle janam ka lena hai (There must be some connection from previous life).” (Himanshu Vyas/HT Photo)