Read a lot of stories on petrifaction as a kid but for once got to witness a mystical moment in the woods. Late evening, after a lot of langur alarm calls and frantic search for the spotted cat, we watched this rugged male leopard came out of the valley and stalled behind a rock as if petrified. As he decided to inch ahead, it was one dreamy vision of him coming to life and walking towards us. What more one can wish for after a unsuccessful search for the striped cat.