The Christmas Carol ran through my head.....but the cows of Gujarat have no manger apart from the city streets ! They are very docile creatures, with their large expressionless eyes, long drooping ears, huge curved shoulder hump, proud upright horns and slow unhurried gait, as they create their own traffic chaos, crossing roads wherever they see fit, or even lying in the middle of the road, traffic parting on either side, to make way for the obstruction !
In the Monsoon season, they head straight for the town, where they can find dry roads and buildings under which to shelter and in winter, they prefer the town environment because the streets are warm and they can be seen sitting in groups of 5 or 6 on the dusty roads, their eyes closed, soaking up the heat of the sun.
New calves are born in this winter season and they quickly learn how to get around the city streets, under the watchful and protective eye of the mother. However, I'd never seen a calf riding on a scooter before - the farmer had the new born over his lap, presumably transporting it out of town, but what was remarkable was the docility of the small creature, who seemed to accept this as a perfectly pleasant way to travel - but the mother cow's reaction was quite different ! I hadn't realised how fast a cow could move until I witnessed this incident - she was in hot pursuit, at a canter, keeping up with the fast pace of the scooter, her heavy udder swinging, as her hooves clattered over the road, determined to keep her new born within sniffing distance ! Her anxiety and distress were palpable. The unshakeable maternal bond which transcends all obstacles !
In the Monsoon season, they head straight for the town, where they can find dry roads and buildings under which to shelter and in winter, they prefer the town environment because the streets are warm and they can be seen sitting in groups of 5 or 6 on the dusty roads, their eyes closed, soaking up the heat of the sun.
New calves are born in this winter season and they quickly learn how to get around the city streets, under the watchful and protective eye of the mother. However, I'd never seen a calf riding on a scooter before - the farmer had the new born over his lap, presumably transporting it out of town, but what was remarkable was the docility of the small creature, who seemed to accept this as a perfectly pleasant way to travel - but the mother cow's reaction was quite different ! I hadn't realised how fast a cow could move until I witnessed this incident - she was in hot pursuit, at a canter, keeping up with the fast pace of the scooter, her heavy udder swinging, as her hooves clattered over the road, determined to keep her new born within sniffing distance ! Her anxiety and distress were palpable. The unshakeable maternal bond which transcends all obstacles !
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