Kaa, The Thirsty Crow

Nine-year-old Akul was eagerly waiting for his cousin Karan, who was coming over to stay with him as his Mom and Dad were going away for the weekend.

- Ashima Kaushik

Karan was super fun—he played board games, read story books, and even watched cartoons with Akul. No one could say that he was a class-11 student who lived in a hostel away from his hometown. He seemed just like another kid from junior school.

“So, what would you like to eat?” asked Karan when they were watching an animated movie.

“Mom said we could order pizza or dosa,” said Akul.

“No need, I can cook in two minutes!” Karan clicked his fingers.

“You can cook?” Akul watched as Karan made dough, rolled chapatis and puffed them on the flame. Then Karan spread ghee and jaggery and made a chapati-roll. Akul loved it. It was so yummy, he wanted one more. Just then, there a loud ‘caw-caw-caw’.

“Oh, that’s Kaa!” said Akul, “He often comes to eat chapati!”

“Kaa who?” Karan asked while clearing the dishes.

“It’s a crow...and my friend. He loves eating plain chapati. Can we give him a plain chapati?” asked Akul.

“Sure, why not!” smiled Karan.

Akul and Karan went to the garden to give Kaa a chapati. But on seeing Karan, Kaa flew away, sitting on a nearby tree and crowing loudly. His jet-black velvety feathers shone brightly in the sunlight.

“Your Kaa looks like a royal crow!” laughed Karan.

“He is special. But why is he not coming to eat?” asked Akul, “He always eats happily!”