It may sound odd but it is true that a relation of mine came to be known as "doctor", courtesy a she-buffalo.
Years ago, this gentleman, Mr PPS, was posted as a health educator in the historical Kakori town near Lucknow. The area that includes Malihabad, abounds in the world famous Dussehri mango.
On his invitation to taste the luscious 'fresh from the tree' fruits, I took my family to Kakori on a few days' vacation. We stayed with his family on the first floor of an old type of house that had a big courtyard in the front.
PPS' job profile required him to give the poor villagers tips on how to keep healthy. He also distributed free multi-vitamin tablets so as to earn the people's confidence and make the government campaign credible.
One evening, while dining we heard somebody shouting from the courtyard below "Doctor sa'ab [sir], Doctor sa'ab [sir]". Not expecting any call at that hour, PPS was surprised. But what surprised him more was to hear somebody calling him a doctor. He looked down from the balcony.
"Yes, what is the matter?" inquired PPS.
With folded hands the man implored, "Doctor sa'ab, I am a poor man. I am in trouble".
"Say what is the problem?"
"Sa'ab, my she-buffalo is very sick. It is not eating anything and has stopped yielding milk. Sa'ab, if the milk yield stops any further or if the animal dies I will be ruined as it is my only source of subsistence. Kindly give some medicine for it. God will bless you."
PPS was bewildered. He told the visitor that he was not a veterinary doctor and could not do anything. But that did not convince him.
Poor villager
The poor villager almost started wailing, "Sir, you have saved the lives of so many people by giving them tablets. You can save my buffalo as well. Please give me some medicine. I know it will be cured."
PPS was speechless and puzzled. With blank expressions, he stared at us by turns as if silently seeking some solution from us to bail him out. He was too anxious to get rid of the man standing below.
We were all pondering over the dilemma when some idea struck PPS. He walked up to a shelf, took out a small discarded phial containing some small, white pills.
PPS then tossed it over to the man asking him to administer them to his sick buffalo. The man expressed his gratitude to "Dr Sa'ab", wished him long life and went home.
PPS was greatly relieved. We sat down again and finished our dinner. After enjoying a hearty course of Dussehri mangoes, we had a good sleep.
But lo! In the morning, the man was back. When he called out again for "Dr Sa'ab", a cold chill ran through the latter's spine. PPS mumbled to us, "My God, he is there again. Has the buffalo died?"
A worried PPS was asking himself what would happen now. How would he face the situation? Would he have to compensate the man for his dead buffalo, his only source of income?
Mustering courage, he looked down without uttering a word. Suddenly, his face turned pale; he saw three to four well-built persons accompanying the man.
The poor man folded his hands once again and said, "Dr Sa'ab, my buffalo has recovered. You have saved it."
In total disbelief, PPS asked him, "Really?... You mean to say your buffalo is all right?"
"Yes. That's why I have brought some milk of the same buffalo for you".
A shocked PPS once again looked into the faces of each one of us - my wife's and mine. This time we were all faced with a different poser - how did it happen?
Apparently, the sick buffalo had recovered in the natural course. But shortly after, word spread in Kakori and nearby areas that "PPS Doctor Sa'ab" could cure animals also!
Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.
