MY NEW FRIEND - A SPECIAL CROW
I am a consultant physician - I teach at a medical college where I head the department of Medicine. I also practice in a first floor clinic which also has a balcony. Traditionally we keep some water for crows in a mug. Unlike in the past when many crows used to frequent it, nowadays, a few crows only come signifying a dwindling population of crows.
One day, I observed that the mug had fallen down and the water had spilled. I was curious to know why. There was no ready explanation visible. I saw the same thing happen next day. My curiosity was aroused. Crows do not waste water normally. I waited for a while looking around. Then I refilled the mug with water and waited. A crow came by and pushed the mug spilling the water - it was an incredible sight. My first instinct was to shoo it away but I observed something unusual - the crow just sat there looking at me . I gave it a prolonged look more out of contempt for the crow being "naughty" and suddenly observed something unusual - its upper beak was only half the size of the lower beak (which was normal ) which meant that there was no suction effect - it could not suck water out of mug which is narrow and long. I realized that it needed a shallow, open container.
Next day, I replaced the mug with a wade container and waited for the crow. Sure enough he came. He promptly started looking at me and crowing. Not knowing how to respond, I spoke to him in my mother tongue and encouraged him to drink water. After 5 minutes of incessant crowing, he dipped himself into the container of water, had a nice bath and then proceeded to drink water to his heart's content. After he had his fill, he came out sat next to me at a point blank range and crowed continuously- probably its way of thanking me.
The whole episode was a revealing experience for me - For one thing, the communication skill of the crow - It never had any formal training or a degree in communication and yet it could very effectively communicate with me and educate me about its problem. I do not think a trained person could have done better under the circumstances. The other thing I observed was its gratitude. Even now, he comes every day, has his bath, drinks water and communicates with me by crowing. If I am working inside, he patiently waits and only after I come out and talk to him will he drink water. Only after thanking me he will leave. He makes it a point to call many other crows too! When such qualities of leadership, communication skills and gratitude are observed in a simple crow, what is happening to the educated humans?
Dr. Raghavendra Bhat
I am a consultant physician - I teach at a medical college where I head the department of Medicine. I also practice in a first floor clinic which also has a balcony. Traditionally we keep some water for crows in a mug. Unlike in the past when many crows used to frequent it, nowadays, a few crows only come signifying a dwindling population of crows.
One day, I observed that the mug had fallen down and the water had spilled. I was curious to know why. There was no ready explanation visible. I saw the same thing happen next day. My curiosity was aroused. Crows do not waste water normally. I waited for a while looking around. Then I refilled the mug with water and waited. A crow came by and pushed the mug spilling the water - it was an incredible sight. My first instinct was to shoo it away but I observed something unusual - the crow just sat there looking at me . I gave it a prolonged look more out of contempt for the crow being "naughty" and suddenly observed something unusual - its upper beak was only half the size of the lower beak (which was normal ) which meant that there was no suction effect - it could not suck water out of mug which is narrow and long. I realized that it needed a shallow, open container.
Next day, I replaced the mug with a wade container and waited for the crow. Sure enough he came. He promptly started looking at me and crowing. Not knowing how to respond, I spoke to him in my mother tongue and encouraged him to drink water. After 5 minutes of incessant crowing, he dipped himself into the container of water, had a nice bath and then proceeded to drink water to his heart's content. After he had his fill, he came out sat next to me at a point blank range and crowed continuously- probably its way of thanking me.
The whole episode was a revealing experience for me - For one thing, the communication skill of the crow - It never had any formal training or a degree in communication and yet it could very effectively communicate with me and educate me about its problem. I do not think a trained person could have done better under the circumstances. The other thing I observed was its gratitude. Even now, he comes every day, has his bath, drinks water and communicates with me by crowing. If I am working inside, he patiently waits and only after I come out and talk to him will he drink water. Only after thanking me he will leave. He makes it a point to call many other crows too! When such qualities of leadership, communication skills and gratitude are observed in a simple crow, what is happening to the educated humans?
Dr. Raghavendra Bhat
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