The Hungry Cow by Sandeep Kumar Rana
There are few books that change our perspective towards the world. They shake our soul and let us understand it's time to change.
The Hungry Cow is one such novel that paints a picture of the selfish humans, plights of stray cattles ( here - cows) in the many Indian household. It can be read by kids too. This fiction is inspired by Mission Stray Cattle by Haryana Police.
Raju is only eleven. His heart cries whenever he comes across an ill cattle on the streets. He himself now wants to become a vet. At his home 'Gaura maan', his father's cow is in miserable condition.
Gopala mistreats her when she stops to yield less amount of milk by reducing her feed and even her medicines when she due to hungry goes around and intakes plastics from the street bins.
Raju with his friend Qasim show extraordinary empathy and resilience to take care of her when hardships line up including Gopala's intervention. At places the anthropomorphism used shows an animal's view on the same.
It is hardbreaking at times to think even though it's a fiction but in reality as well animals are given very less value and are mistreated very often in this world for the selfish need of humans.
This moral animal welfare centric story also highlights how plastic harms our nature, about interfaith harmony, empathy and ability in young people to bring big changes.
Definitely a meaningful read. Recommended for all.