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}.
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}.
.........................................................................................................
© 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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