Wednesday, October 17, 2012

THE CRIPPLED CUCKOO

THE CRIPPLED CUCKOO

                               The Indian Koel (Kuyil) belongs to the Cuckoo order of birds (Cuculiformes). Its systematic name is Eudynamys scolopaceus. It is a 'brood parasite' that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds such as the crows. The unsuspecting crow sits on the Koel's eggs and her own eggs till they are hatched  and feeds the hatchlings together.
                               A mother 'house crow' (Corvus splendens) built a nest on a large tree and laid four eggs in it. A mother koel waited for the mother crow to move out and then laid an egg in the crow's nest. The mother crow returned soon and sat on the eggs in her nest and hatched them together.
                                The chick of the koel appeared, cried and behaved like the baby crows and the mother affectionately fed all of them. She noticed that the baby koel had an inherent disability. One of his legs was crippled. He could walk only with much difficulty. The mischievous young crows laughed at him and pecked him frequently with their tiny beaks. But he was very tolerant and affectionate. He had suppressed the natural urge to move the other eggs and hatchlings out of the nest. But the young crows continued to harass him.
                                The hatchlings grew into nestlings and fledglings. Unable to bear the harsh treatment by the fellow fledglings, the koel chick silently moved out of the nest and rested on a neighbouring tree. It's sad cry was recognized by his parents who rushed to meet him.
                                Under the tender care of his parents, the young koel learned to eat, fly and sing like his parents. He developed glossy bluish black colour and red eyes (crimson iris) like his father. He sang with a melodious voice and all the animals and birds of the area listened with admiration whenever the crippled koel sang a song. He became the best singer in the land. Even the crows who teased and troubled him in the nest listened to his melodious music with appreciation, admiration and adoration.
                               Jesus advised , "Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who ill-treat you" {Luke 6: 27; Matthew 5: 44}. He taught, "Do for others just what you want them to do for you" {Luke 6: 31; Matthew 7: 12}.
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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and  Leo. S. John & Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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