The Loyal Cow and Her Calf
A Folk Tale from Uttarakhand’s Garhwal and Kumaon
In the hills of Uttarakhand, within the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, a cow and her calf lived peacefully. The cow’s love for her calf drove her deep into the forest daily, where she unknowingly wandered into a tiger’s territory. The tiger threatened to devour her, but she begged for mercy, promising to return after feeding her calf. Reluctantly, the tiger agreed. True to her word, the cow returned the next day with her calf, ready to face the tiger. Moved by the cow’s loyalty and the calf’s selflessness, the tiger spared their lives. The tale highlights the deep values of promise-keeping, sacrifice, and love that resonate within Uttarakhand’s folk stories.
In a small village, there lived a cow and her calf. Every day, the cow would go to the forest to graze on fresh grass so that she could produce enough milk for her calf. Her deep love for her calf drove her to venture far into the forest in search of the best grass.
One day, while grazing, the cow wandered into a tiger’s territory. As soon as the tiger spotted her, he began approaching her. The cow, trembling with fear, gathered her courage and pleaded, “Please, kind sir, let me go. My calf is waiting for me at home, hungry and alone. I promise I will come back after feeding him, and then you can eat me.”
The tiger laughed and said, “Do you think I’m foolish? If I let you go, you’ll never return. I’m hungry now, and I’ll eat you right away.” The cow begged and cried, appealing to the tiger’s heart, but he was unmoved.
However, the cow’s persistent pleading eventually softened the tiger. He said, “Fine, I’ll let you go for now, but if you don’t return tomorrow, I’ll come to your home and eat both you and your calf.”
Relieved yet worried, the cow returned home. The calf, overjoyed to see his mother, eagerly drank milk. But noticing his mother’s sadness, he asked, “What’s wrong, Mother?” The cow explained everything that had happened.
The calf listened carefully and then said, “Mother, why be sad? Take me with you tomorrow. I’ll talk to the tiger myself.”
The cow tried to explain that the tiger was a dangerous wild animal with no mercy, but the calf insisted. After much pleading, the cow finally agreed to take him along.
The next day, the cow and the calf made their way back to the tiger. Upon seeing them, the tiger was surprised. The cow said, “As promised, I’ve returned. You can eat me now, but please let my calf go.”
Before the tiger could respond, the calf stepped forward and said, “No, Tiger Uncle, eat me first.”
The cow, trying to hush her calf, pleaded again, “No, no! Please eat me and spare my calf.”
Hearing this, the tiger smiled warmly. He said, “I’m not going to eat either of you. Your bravery and loyalty have moved me. You kept your promise even at the risk of your life. I was only testing whether you’d truly return. I’m impressed by your courage and love.”
The tiger patted the calf gently and escorted both of them safely back home.
This story teaches us that honesty, loyalty, and courage can overcome even the greatest challenges.
