Gopu's Secret

“Bou, the cows are here”, shouted Montu.

“Tie them up”, my aunt called from inside, “ I will bring their fodder soon. I am in the kitchen in between things”.

Montu walked up to the cowshed where the three cows were waiting after returning home from a day in the meadows. There were three different colors, white red and black, aptly named, Gori, Laali and Kaali.

Of the three only Kaali had a moon mark on her forehead and was the most aggressive, while the other two were mild and friendly. Sometimes when the person who milked the cows did not turn up, my aunt could milk the other two but not Kaali. She only obeyed the person who milked her regularly, Gopu. And Kaali’s milk was the sweetest and the tastiest. So while the milk from the other two was sold out, the one from Kaali was for family members.

I was visiting my cousin during the summer holidays. It was a usual routine, the home coming of the cows, their watering and providing fodder and the arrival of the man (Gopu) who milked them. Then the milk would be sent out before it was night. Same routine followed at dawn before the cows were sent out to graze with the cowherd. They were milked before sending them off.

Summer days in Koraput can be hot with occasional showers breaking the heat waves. The forest and orchards fruit and flower in spring and depending on the year, mangoes are available in plenty. I sat down to suck on the ripe mangoes, watching Montu do his chores. I was a guest though at times I lent a hand in the household work and joined Montu in carrying out errands. However, tying the cows was not my cup of tea. I was scared of the horns. Gopu was very friendly and over the last few days had instilled in me confidence that I could milk Laali and I had done that just once for fun with his help.

During the last few days Gopu had been absent in the evenings due to some work and I had helped Aunt by milking Laali and Gori but not Kaali. We waited till the next morning for Gopu to milk her. Gopu also at times took the cows to graze in the outskirts when during summer the cowherd would have errands and only the cowherd’s son would be available to go with the cows. That night the kids did not like the taste of the milk of the other cows though they drank it at bed time. No one new why Kaali was so fond of Gopu and let him milk her without trouble. Montu had told to me once that initially Kaali troubled Gopu also until the day when he took the cows once out last summer for grazing. There was plenty to bother about in farming household and milk was the last thing of concern. So no one bothered much if Gopu did not turn up one evening except the children who liked only Kaali’s milk.

I sat watching the cows as Montu left for some errand after tying the cows in the shed.

The peels of the mangoes lay all around me, attracting flies, so I heaped them in a place as I finished sucking mango after mango.

I suddenly realized Kaali was staring at me. There was a different kind of look. It was not of anger or fear, just a look of appeal. I stopped eating the mango and followed her gaze. She was looking at the mango peels.

“Did she want them?” I wasn’t sure. I was scared and yet curious. She had never looked at me like this before!

There was inner urge inside me to walk to her. I took a couple of peels and hesitantly walked to Kaali.

She took a step forward, nodding her head. I retraced a few steps. I could see now over my shoulders, Laali and Gori staring at me from the two sides.

I stood fixed as if waiting for Kaali to move forward and ready to run back. But she did not rush at me.

She retraced back to her position, her eyes still fixed on me. Then she sat down and opened her long tongue.

I took a small step ahead and then another. I knew I could run back s she was tied. The only harm would be if aunt saw me running. She had warned me not to go near Kaali as she was apprehensive I would be hurt. Kaali did not move. She further sank into her belly as if waiting for me.

I was encouraged and walked up to her and held the peels to her mouth. I could see her face glow. She lapped up the peels and in no time the entire heap was finished. I did feed a few peels to the other two cows as well.

And that is when I noticed that she seemed happy with me. She stood up just like she did when Gopu arrived, slowly, her head moving up and down. I knew wat she would do next. I had seen her do that with Gopu. She rubbed against his chest. But I was small for her. But I stood intact. She lowered her head on my shoulder and began licking my face.

“What are you doing there”, my aunt’s voice echoed and I turned to look at her.

“Nothing “, I stammered, the drops of saliva from Kaali dripping from my cheeks.

“Oh! My God. It is a miracle. She has been licking you. How did this happen?” My Aunt asked.

I never lied to her and so narrated to her the entire incident.

“Hmm so that is the secret of Gopu. He must be feeding her mango peels when she goes to graze. Initially she used to trouble him also,” my aunt said

“Next time Gopu does not turn up let me try”, she said as she poured the rice water and bran mixes in the pounds for the cows.

But aunt did not have to wait long for the day. That evening Gopu did not turn up.

And with me watching, aunt fed a few peels of mango to Kaali and that night we all drink Kaali’s milk at bedtime even though Gopu had not turned up that evening.