National Animal

On the outskirts of Rajdhani, close to the ridge forest periphery, there was cacophony all around. A closer look revealed a gathering of a group of animals and they were in some heated arguments. Suddenly a lull fell.

And the cows staked their claim to become the national animal. They added my urine, people can drink, my dung can be dried into cakes and made use for yagna, ghee from my milk can also be used to stoke the yagan fire to purify the environment. COVID will not be able to thrive. What more? The proof is in the pudding which can be made from my milk.

Buffaloes challenged the cows and retorted “you can do likewise with my products too. I yield much more than cows and you can export my meat too as an added bonus.”

Cows said “you are merely a carrier for Yamaraj but I have a place in the holy scriptures. I am worshipped by people. People prefer me to certain other kinds of people even.”

Then the dogs barked and said “we even find a place inside homes of people. People take us for a walk and they even pick up our poop. We share the beds too. They cuddle us. They find us stress relieving. They are as loyal as we are to people. Police use us to track crimes. We deserve to be the national animal. “

Peacock not to be left out staked its claim and said “We are the carrier of Kartikeya, son of Shiva. The great leader was even seen to feed us. That one incident is enough to qualify us for the national symbol.”

Elephants made their presence felt with a loud trumpet. “We are worshipped after the Lord of Wisdom. We take part in temple processions. People have learned to make paper out of our poops. Only the railways hate us and track us down. “

The claims and counterclaims could not be easily resolved. The issue went up to the parliament. Sadviji made an earnest presentation. She said she was alive and making this plea cause of the cow's urine. She voted for the cow. Ms Durga from the eastern region made a very intellectual plea for the chimpanzee and she said 99% of our DNA is from chimpanzees. So, naturally, my vote goes for them. Mr Oxford Lexicon from the god's own country who relished parota with beef curry argued for elephants and said today’s politicians were as thick-skinned as a pachyderm. That alone put elephants in the reckoning. Many members thumped their desk in approval. Many members who walked their dogs argued in favour of dogs.

The surprise of surprise the home minister batted for bats and said they eat termites and I want to get rid of them from this country. Many members batted along with this suggestion.

The leader cleared his throat. “I have promised to usher in Ram Rajya and without Hanuman how can they be Ram Rajya. For once I agree with Didi's representative.” Most members in chorus shouted Jai Shri Ram.

Finally, it was time for voting. Result didn’t surprise anyone. It was the cow that won with a mooing majority. Sadhvi who was the first one to ‘moo’t for cow opened a crate full of bottles of go cola and gave one and all a drink amidst loud cheers and desk thumping.