Play with pals!

 Nature is beautiful! Some are subtle listeners and understand the language of plants and trees. Some love animals, birds and other organisms more than life. Some just want to be with them mutually benefited. While others live a life in concrete jungle and make nature a holiday spot.

Who I am is a search! Although I remember the first time nature touched me and is etched in my heart. I am not a vegetarian although I would be one if not for that biriyani. I know not to harm animals, that does not mean I can not prepare a chicken and cook. This post and the following is all about my diverse experiences and knowledge that helped me to become the organism I am.

First encounter:

I was hardly 7-8 years old. I moved into a house on the outskirts of a small city in South India. Fortunate I had my school behind my house and a neighbour's farm opposite my house divided by a National Highway. School behind your house means you have a lot of spare time, a farm nearby means you get to see, touch and be with animals you dont get to see in the city. Hens, Goats, Cow and also buffalo were in the farm. 

I have seen hens with chicks, trying to protect them from predators like eagles, dogs, cats and even me. Goats playing head on, a skill later required for them. A closed fist is all I need to get a goat play the same with me and when not done right can land me directly into a hospital. I guess there were elders around who did not let me with the untamed goats. Goats are closest thing I can get to in a farm, especially the little ones. I spent most of my time with the little goats, I have seen them getting birth, being cleaned by mommy goat, try to stand up and get a balance, the little baby steps and finally a sprint all around the farm like its tired of being in the womb so long. I even tried running behind trying to catch it but failed many times. I do remember once my grandma said goat's milk is best for mouth ulcers and I shared the milk like the little goats.

While a farm is living and excites a kid every moment, there are a few things that are scary. Yet you never know when a scare turns into love with a little knowledge. Even though a kid, I was allowed to roam around the farm accompanied only by a farm animal. On that day, I saw a cow deliver its baby calf, the calf behaved very similar to a baby goat and so the mothers.  Finally the baby calf ran until it got tired and looked for the mother. The farmer tied a rope on the calf but never tie it to a pole unlike the mother and other animals in the farm. The calf has the privilege to run amok even destroy some of the crops yet not tied to a pole. The rope on the calf is to bring it back to secure area in case it went too far. I once tried to catch a calf and bring it back, though just born calf I was not strong enough to bring it back unless the calf cooperates. I did catch the rope, a successful step then I pulled it to a nearby path lined with coconut trees. A bit tired from all the running and taming, I decided to rest under the coconut tree. The first touch of nature occurred here, a lovely breeze chilled my sweat, the sight of a gentle glide of young peanut plants on the farm, the lovely twitter of the sparrows, the ever-playful calf in my hand and the soft earthy land I was sitting on. I have just dreamt of that moment ever after. However, that moment did not last long. A flutter in the peanut plant a distance away did cause panic to the kid I was. Is it just an active squirrel, probably a rat, what if it is a Green snake! I was told by my family a green snake always targets the eye balls thinking its a fruit, I guess it was told to keep me away from the farm when alone. It worked that day, I got panic and tried to pull the calf to its mother but calf is too strong, I let it go and ran to safety. Until now I knew not if it was a Green snake but I grew out of the fear and held many snakes in my hand. Snakes are a beauty if you know them a little more.

Those days did not last long, In a couple years I moved into the inner cities where there are no farms and animals around!