Hail to the lordly buffalo!

As children, we studied under a constant threat. “If you do not study and get good marks, I will purchase a pair of buffaloes for you! You can take them out to graze!” Parents used this standard tagline to whip their child to show some urgency. As we look back, this taunt was incorrect for several reasons. For one, we grew up in a city. There were no grazing fields. At least, parents could have upgraded their pet example. Urban children need urban examples to relate to. This one was a non-starter.

Secondly, as adults now, we wonder if we could have chosen the alternative buffalo profession. That way, we could have been masters and exercised an element of power and control, at least on the buffalo. Now, it is too late. We realize that the IT job is a thankless job. It is a time-guzzler and from morning to night, you are at someone else’s bidding. In the process of avoiding a buffalo, we have in fact become someone else’s buffalo, who has taken over our life completely!

Thirdly, the example is a grave injustice to buffaloes. It portrays them in poor light, when in fact, they run the country’s economy. From milk production to pulling carts in the rural areas, you cannot beat the buffalo’s contribution. And when it comes to nail-biting finishes, who can beat the “Kambala” race where buffaloes and owners vie with each other for the coveted medal?

Still, from time to time, when you do not react to a situation, someone gives you a piece of mind, saying, “How can you be so thick skinned like a buffalo?” The comment is totally unfair. On one hand, we glorify people who are unflappable and cool in the most challenging circumstances. We honor them with titles like “Captain Cool” and what not. But when we do the same and remain equanimous, the buffalo is brought into comparison, that too, in negative light.

A buffalo standing on the middle of the main road in our teeming metropolis is a sight for sore eyes! Cars may honk, buses may brush past them, but they stay put. The buffalo looks at the vehicle owner in the eye. It is a cold and defiant stare. It does not give an inch, till the vehicle owner, sheepishly acknowledges defeat, and goes around it.

Sometimes, we wish our Test Cricketers can take a leaf from the buffalo’s book! In the face of the most hostile fast bowling, we want them to be like the lordly buffalo. They must hold their ground, dig in the heels, and stay put. Then, we can truly acknowledge them as world beaters. It would be appropriate if they can have their net practice sessions with a buffalo tied to the post. It will serve as a fitting reminder and inspire them to greater heights in the art of batsmanship.

Hail to the lordly buffalo!