Now,
immediately on the heels of the drought described in my previous blog(post 1.24), a second disaster unfolds in Ponnivala. The problem
begins as the Chola’s ear-tagged cows reach Kolatta’s lands and
find his finest field. It stands out for its tasty, near-mature crop
of sugarcane. The cows eye the delicious-looking stand of tall
stalks with hunger in their eyes. But they know that the owner will
be upset if they enter the field and start to trample the sugarcane
as they munch on it. In a nice mythical touch, these cows can speak
to one another using human-like voices. Soon we hear one “sister”
cow warning the others that they risk a beating if they enter this
fine field during daylight hours. So they decide to delay this
prospective feast and instead hang around in a wooden area where they
will not be seen... until after dusk.
As
soon as the sun sets, however, the cows start back to Ponnivala’s
lush sugarcane field. Now the small group of hungry bovines enter
the field bravely. There they do indeed feast! Many stalks re
trampled as they munch, but their stomachs are soon filled and the
cows are content. The clip ends as they exit the field. Why should
they feel any quilt one might ask? Surely the owner of their field
has an obligation to consider their hunger and to share his bounty
with them. Like beggars at a temple shrine, these cows have a right
to alms. Shouldn’t he welcome them and consider their welfare a
sacred duty? Furthermore, these cows are tired and hungry wanderers.
A man with this much wealth, a local king, should welcome them as
guests and treat them to all they ask for. After all, they should be
treated as guests and fed until they can eat no more! These are
well-known local social “norms,” and these cows have every right
to expect their observance! But all is not so simple in a land where
a pioneer farmer has just struggled to bring forth his first fine
sugarcane crop. We will see what happens next when I discuss the
matter further in an ensuing blog (see Post 1.26, to follow).
Signing off for now,
“Blogger” Brenda Beck
The Sophia Hilton Foundation of Canada
Have you experienced The Legend of Ponnivala on TV or in print? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
To find out more about The Legend of Ponnivala -- the legend, the series, the books, and the fascinating history behind the project, visit www.ponnivala.com.
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