A Crow Story

A few weeks ago, on a free-form Sunday, I was hanging with a couple of friends here in a small village in India. (Yes. Chai was involved!) One of us suddenly suggested that we venture out a bit and explore the area beyond the village. He claimed to know of some interesting places. We readily all agreed to this idea, and - in quick order - we found a tuk tuk and clambered on…Off the three of us went on an exciting Sunday adventure! 

After bumping along for a time (The roads are not always excellent in the area.) we descended and entered what appeared to be an ashram of sorts. Really, I am not sure what is its official name; what it labels itself. Nonetheless, we entered a fairly dilapidated building and came into where  the presiding sadhu or swami (It’s a bit of a guess in how to describe him.) was sitting on a platform of sorts…

He didn’t actually ever speak to us.  A fellow who appeared to be his attendant offered us some chai. (Can never have too much chai!) And there we sat.

I did eventually get up and explored the other parts of the building which included some small temples.  Also, I recall an indoor garden area open to the air… 

I did notice there were lots of crows in the vicinity. I am quite fond of crows so that served as a plus for me. Now, crows can be quite raucous. But I actually enjoy that. There is something magical about them. They seem to readily have an otherworldly connection. In India, they are said to have a connection with our ancestors.  And they are part of the very great Avadhoot Bhagavan Nityananda’s story. For instance, when asked about his birth, he is said to have simply replied that two crows came and went…

Well, as it turns out,  it seemed this fellow on the platform did not share my affection and respect for these creatures. They were numerous and their raucous cries apparently annoyed him. Using his Bluetooth speaker, he proceeded to blast some awful sounds - something that sounded like rapid machine gun fire - to scare them away!

I did not like this at all and spoke up, protesting vehemently and clearly; and forcefully instructed him not to do that. 

He seemed to not care about my protestations at all. He seemed inured to what I had to say. 

But it turns out the crows heard me.

Not long after, I felt something plop onto my left thigh and then it rolled off onto the floor. I looked down and, along with one of my friends adjacent to me, we inspected whatever it was. To our great surprise, a piece of fairly sizeable raw chicken met our gaze! 

I knew immediately what had happened. I flashed back to when a neighborhood cat, a stray we - my family - had befriended back in the US some time ago, who had gifted me with a surprise one fine day when I came home. As I approached the front door, there on the mat laid a sweet little bird which no longer inhabited this world. 

Though this was not what I consider a delightful surprise, I knew with a certainty that this sweet cat  - who not able to go and buy gifts at the local store a la human - had done what he could in cat currency.  Being an animal of prey, he had bought to my door a prized find in his world. For me, he was expressing affection and gratitude by way of this gift.. (Not sure how the bird felt! 😄)

I had not noticed the crow that had swooped over me and delivered this gift, a prized find indeed in his world. And where did he (or she, as the case might be!) find this probably rare morsel of gift?! It was, indeed, a moving and magical moment…

So much communication happens amongst species, often below what we consciously note. This one was very obvious, though, in both directions. 

And I was so grateful. Perhaps the darshan with the presiding human was less than compelling. But this other darshan was mystical and magical.

Mystical and magical…A crow story…

Annie Kiyonaga 

India, 2025