National

Ruling the roost

B. Madhu Gopal

`Chinnodu'

VISAKHAPATNAM: A family in Visakhapatnam, comprising P.J. Prasanna Kumar Raju and P. Usha Leena, and son Kamalakar Raju, now has a new member: a rooster.

It relaxes on the sofa, shares the bed, eats from a plate and relishes cool water from a glass tumbler. It sleeps with legs stretched out on the bed. It even `watches' television along with the family. They have named it `chinnodu', meaning the `younger one.'

``We purchased three chicks for Re.1 each about one-and-a-half year ago. They used to move around in our house. Despite our best care, two chicks died and only one survived. My husband felt sorry for the solitary chick and used to let it sleep on the bed beside him. Gradually, Chinnodu became a part of our family,'' recalls Ms. Leena.

They even celebrated its first birthday on January 22. Relatives were invited home and a birthday cake was cut. Chinnodu took the first bite, and the rest of it was distributed among the guests.

Chinnodu's day begins with Ms. Leena giving it a bath with soap. He eats fruits, mixture and cashewnut.

"It is unwell for the past week and we are feeding it with a mixture of `gantelu' and biscuit powder," she said.

And there has been no bath for the past week. The family had even given up non-vegetarian food after Chinnodu arrived.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu