As the Ashwini family strolled home, Ashwini suddenly paused, her finger pointing towards a small, frantic figure by the roadside. "Look, the hen is struggling," she said with genuine concern. Bharath and Chanvi followed her gaze, their expressions mirroring a mix of worry and empathy. Without hesitation, Pravin approached the hen, his movements gentle and reassuring. "We can't just leave her here," he murmured, carefully scooping up the distressed bird as his children watched with hopeful eyes.
The hen, now cradled in the comfort of their home, began to dry and clean her feathers. Ashwini watched from a distance, her heart swelling with compassion. "She needs some rest," Pravin remarked softly. By the next morning, a remarkable transformation had taken place; the hen, now more confident, perched happily on Pravin's shoulder, much to the delight of Bharath and Chanvi who giggled at the sight.
The hen, affectionately named Tofu, found her new playground on the balcony. "She loves the bananas and sapota," Pravin noted with a smile, watching Tofu peck eagerly at the fruits and grains scattered around. Bharath and Chanvi joined in, their laughter mingling with Tofu's joyful clucks as she darted around, her wings flapping in playful abandon.
Tofu was now a cherished member of the family. Pravin's vegan friends, Mr. Vegan Prav and Badi, marveled at her presence during a visit. "She's quite the charmer," Badi laughed, snapping photos of Tofu nestled among the family. Pravin chuckled, "Badi even gave her a fitting name—Tofu." The room was filled with warmth as Tofu fluttered around, her spirit lifting theirs.
The time had come to consider Tofu's future. Ashwini looked thoughtful, "We need to find a place where she can truly thrive," she said. Pravin nodded, "Prani's policy doesn't seem right for her," he agreed. The family exchanged knowing glances, united in their resolve to find Tofu the perfect home.
Their search led them to Sri Gaushala, where Ramanuja and Achuth welcomed them warmly. "She'll be happy here," Ramanuja assured, as Tofu, now renamed Tunga, explored her new surroundings with unrestrained curiosity. "Look, she's already making friends," Chanvi exclaimed, watching Tunga playfully interact with the cows.
Saying farewell was inevitably bittersweet. Bharath and Chanvi, their eyes misty, waved goodbye as Tunga clucked softly, almost as if in reassurance. Pravin placed an arm around Ashwini, understanding the mix of emotions. "She's in the best place possible," he whispered, comforted by the thought.
Pravin listened intently to Ramanuja's voice over the line. "She's doing wonderfully, even sleeps atop the cowshed," Ramanuja reported with a chuckle. Pravin smiled, "Thank you for taking such good care of her." The image of Tunga perched peacefully amidst serene farm life brought a sense of peace.
As they reminisced about Tunga's journey, Ashwini glanced at the framed photo of her on the balcony. "She taught us so much about kindness," she mused. The family shared a quiet moment of gratitude, their hearts full from the simple joy of having made a difference in a small life.
