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Cowboys of the valley
Morning Moo-sic in the Valley
A chorus of cowbells chimed softly as Bopu slung a jute bag over his shoulder. Beside him trotted Bollu, his brown, furry Indies dog, tail high and eyes full of mischief. “Come on, lazy tail!” Bopu laughed, scratching Bollu’s ears. “The cows are waiting.” At the cattle shed, ten gentle cows blinked at him with curious eyes. “Morning, ladies,” Bopu greeted, giving each a pat. He had names for them all — Chomu, Radha, Lakshmi, Gundu, and even one called BruceLee (because he once kicked the postman). Bollu barked playfully, chasing a fluttering butterfly and almost knocking over a bucket of feed. “You’re worse than the calves,” Bopu chuckled. Together, the boy, the dog, and their moo-ing entourage headed towards the green pastures beyond the coffee estate, where mist still danced among silver oaks.
A Calf Escapes
The cows grazed happily, their mouths moving like old ladies chewing betel leaves. Bopu sat on a mossy rock, weaving blades of grass into a crown for Bollu. “Presenting King Bollu, guardian of the cows!” Bollu gave a royal bark and dashed between the cows, sending a calf named Kutti into a wild zoomie run. Suddenly, Radha, the gentle mother cow, began mooing loudly. Her eyes darted around in panic. Bopu stood up. “Hey! Where’s her calf?” Kutti was missing. “Bollu! Find the baby!” Bopu shouted. Bollu’s ears perked up. He sniffed the air like a detective on a juicy case and bolted into the bushes. Bopu followed with a stick in hand, just in case it wasn’t just a calf but also a cranky langur causing trouble. The cows mooed in alarm. A drama was unfolding in Coorg’s green amphitheater.
The Moo-stery Deepens
Bopu crashed through the lantana bushes, scratched but determined. “Kutti! Kutti! Where are you?” he called. Suddenly, Bollu barked from behind a thick patch of coffee shrubs. There, in a little muddy ditch, stood the calf - stuck and shivering. “Oh Kutti!” Bopu sighed in relief and slid down to scoop her gently. But Kutti had other plans. She leapt, slipping past Bopu, straight into Bollu who tumbled with a dramatic yelp and ended up with a leaf crown and a muddy nose. Bopu burst out laughing. “You look like a wild jungle king now!” Together, with Bollu nudging Kutti from behind, they led the calf back. When Radhe saw her baby, she licked her head lovingly and mooed a deep, thankful sound. Bollu barked like a proud hero. One cow even licked his ear. “Oi!” Bopu grinned. “Looks like you’ve been promoted to honorary cow.”
Homeward Bound with Love
The sun dipped low as they all walked back — cows jingling, calf skipping, and Bollu strutting like a war hero. As they reached the edge of the estate, Kaveri, the self declared princess of the naad, with a mischievous grin and a braid that swung like a monkey's tail, jumped out from behind a tree. “Boo!” she shouted. Bollu yelped and jumped into Bopu’s arms. “Kaveri! You scared the soul out of him!” Bopu said, half laughing. “I wanted to see the great cow rescuers,” she teased. “Did you ride the calf home, brave boy?” Before Bopu could retort, Bollu leapt at her playfully, muddy paws and all. “Not the dress!” Kaveri screamed, laughing as she dodged. Back home, Bopu’s mother stood with hands on her hips. “Again late, and this time muddy too?” Kaveri quickly stood beside her. “Aunty, they were doing heroic things. They deserve Ginnu!”
Bopu frowned. “She’s betraying me again.” His mother smirked, “She’s right. Hot Ginnu for the Cowboys .”
Sweet Ginnu and Sticky Mischief
Under the dim glow of the lantern, the family sat on the veranda. Bopu, Bollu, and now Kaveri, each got a bowl of warm Ginnu - soft, sweet pudding made from colostrum milk. Bollu dug in first, nose deep in the bowl. “You’ll drown in it, da!” Kaveri said and quickly dabbed a bit on Bopu’s nose. “Hey!” he protested. She burst out laughing, and even Bopu’s mother chuckled, watching the two bicker like sibling calves. Kaveri then stealthily fed Bollu another spoon. “Good boy deserves double!” “You’re spoiling him,” Bopu muttered. “And I have your mom’s full support!” Kaveri grinned, giving aunty a wink. The cows rested peacefully, Radha licking Kutti gently. The stars twinkled above as laughter echoed across the valley. A perfect end to a day filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of moo - and one sneaky girl who knew exactly how to turn every moment into fun.