While the story has dare-devil thrills, it was purely scientific zest that brought the Class IX student from Cochin to Pune to meet his `real-life hero' Dr Jayant Narlikar and learn science from him.

The story, which started with the young boy leaving home on March 1 without the knowledge of his parents, ended on a happy note today when he finally decided to return to home along with his father.

It all started when Anand, a fan of renowned astrophysicist Dr Narlikar, decided to set out in search of his guru, hoping that he would meet him. The driving force was the profound love for science and dejection with his teachers who, he believed, thought in different wavelengths and did not understand him at all.

So the young lad packed his bag and boarded the bus to Pune. The destination was the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)where Narlikar serves as director.

After a long, tiring journey, Anand landed at IUCAA on March 2 on the day a seminar on science and the media was on at the Centre. The sight of a curious looking young boy -- exploring the sylvan campus of the Centre drew the authorities' attention. Anand expressed his desire to meet Narlikar whose books, he said, he has read more than once.

``He, in fact, wanted to stay here and become a scientist. We convinced him that in order to become a scientist he should have at least a science degree,'' a senior scientist of IUCAA told The Indian Express.

``The profound interest of the student in science and astronomy can be gauged by the fact that he is well-versed with the writings of Narlikar,'' he said.

Narlikar met the boy and lent him a ear. ``It is a private matter and I have sorted it out,'' said Narlikar, who was not willing to come out about the episode.

Meanwhile, the boy found some good samaritans in the city who arranged for his boarding and lodging.They also informed his parents in Cochin.

It was a quite a task for the scientists to convince the boy to go back home. But it was more than convincing for Anand, when the words of wisdom came from Narlikar himself.

The two-day drama ended today when Anand finally left for home with his father, all set to rediscover science, courtesy the path shown by his hero.