In a far off sleepy village of Hamirpur, lived a young boy called Govind. Govind was ten years old and went to the local village school.  His father Nandan was a farmer. Govind lived with his mother, a brother and a sister. Govind would help his father at the farm and with the cattle in his spare time.

One fine day, when it was Govind’s holiday, he took the cattle out to graze in the meadows. His mother had packed his lunch box and a water bottle. Though he was young and it was tiring for his age but he loved helping his father with the cattle. But the only reason his parents did not let him do these jobs was because he was an absent minded fella. He was a careless little boy and would forget things. His parents would think that due to his callous attitude one of the cows in the herd may get lost. But Govind would defy his parents and would run to the green fields with the cows.

On that day when he was returning from gazing the cattle, the sky was overcast with thick black clouds. Before he could realize it started to pour very heavily.  Soon their was water all around.  Small rivulets had formed and they were racing against each other. Govind was wet. He had to decide quickly on how he would take the cattle back home.  Meanwhile the cattle had rushed to the nearest tree shade and were covered under a huge banyan tree. Govind thought to him “how lucky I am, my cows have led the way for me”.  He ran after them and squeezed himself in one corner under the tree.

Govind cushioned a boulder with his shawl and perched on it, while the cows stood in a corner.  The rains did not stop for a long time. Like the cows were cudding, Govind was busy dreaming. He had created a warm enclosure where he could stretch and think about all good things. He started to visualize about the food that would be prepared at home. He started to salivate at the thought of halwa, puri, mitai, kheer and other savories. He got swayed away by these tempting thoughts and slept off. He kept slept for a very long time.  In between the rain had stopped.  Govind’s slumber was broken by the sound of aggressive chirping of birds. Govind was startled and woke up.  To his surprise he realized that the cows were not there. They were nowhere to be seen. Govind started to panic and palpitate. He was already late and now the cows were also not around. Govind moved and looked in all directions but could not see any trace of the animals. Govind dashed up and down the meadows, jumped over the large puddles, called out for their names, but none were visible.
Forlorn Govind started to walk back home and braced himself for the entire rebuttal that would happen at home about his lack of alertness and attentiveness.  Govind’s white shirt and kakhi trousers were still soggy. His rubber slipper had not soaked the rain water and were therefore making an eerie pumping sound.  After walking for a long distance he finally reached the village well. His heart was missing a few beats, since he had to answer his parents for losing the families only source of income.

“What will we eat, how will I pay my school fees, how will mother make halwa and puri?" Dear Govind you are in for some very big trouble!! Brace yourself... Thinking so he rested at the well to fetch a bucket of water. But what he spotted bang opposite the well were his long lost friends. He was comforted to see that the cows had reached back home and had not got strayed anywhere in between. This also meant that he was safe and his parents would not get to know about anything that had happened and so he would not be scolded.
Fresh with a new bout of confidence, he ran towards his house and pretended as if he had escorted the cattle back home. He strode in the house with big leaps, expecting a pat on his back. But zoom ran his mother towards him and wailing “What have you done Govind? When will you learn to be responsible? Where have you left Chandini? She has not come home!!”  Govind had no idea about what was coming.  His eyes had widened up and his heart stared to thump faster, wondering why Ma was so cross? She should have been thankful that he had got all the cows back, least they would have got lost.

 And why is she crying over one silly Chandini.? Hearing all the commotion happening in the house, the complete family had assembled in the compound. His siblings were giggling in one corner, glad that Govind was getting snubbed.  Govind’s father Nandan marched towards the center, rested his hand on the Tulsi plant and started “Govind, were you not happy that your family was earning enough fortunes for you and all your brothers and sisters. Then why didn’t you take care of our lucky mascot Chandini. She has not returned home.” Govind stood completely puzzled and in dismay looked at his Daadi. “Can you tell me Daadi what is happening? What wrong have I done? “Daadi got up from her charpoy and walked up to Govind, who was standing at the threshold of the cowshed “Dear son, do you remember how many cows and buffaloes you took for grazing.” Govind scratched his head and said “Yes there were five black, three white and two brown cows. And there were only three buffaloes.”

“See that’s what I meant you looser! Now there are only two white cows and the third white cow is missing. Where have you misled my Chandini? She has not reached back home” cried Nandan. After this there was long silence. No one spoke. It was official for the family to wail and beat their hearts in thumping sounds for the loss of Chandini. Govind peeped inside the cow shed and briskly counted the white cows. And Yes! The third one missing. Govind’s mind went in the flash back trying to remember what exactly would have happened to Chandini. Did he falter at any place?

Nandan was inconsolable. He had drenched his gamcha not because of the rain but because of the amount of tears he was shedding!  He reminisced the first time when Chandini had walked into their kutcha house swiftly and quietly. Her long tail swayed like the river Ganga on a body which was white like the moonlight.  Her big black eyes looked gloomy as if wanting someone to adopt her. It was since then that she was called Chandini.  But he did not stop there.  He thought about the day when he had stopped at the village Sarpanch’s house for some work. Since the protocol was to take permission from the guards before entering, he squatted in the compound awaiting a response from the guards.  While the guards were busy with other work, Nandan was busy admiring the pacca house the Sarpanch had. He thought how rich the Sarpanch was that he could afford a whitewash of this pacca house. And poor him, he did not even have a pacca house, forget about the white wash. He was cursing his misfortune when he noticed a big herd of cows being ushered inside the compound. He noticed how healthy and beautiful those cows were.   Nandan had already waited for a long time in the compound but the Sarpanch was nowhere to be seen. The Haveli was bustling with the coming and going of guards and people. The Sarpanch was very much inside the house and he could hear him rebuking his stooges for not being watchful of the herds while the whitewash was happening.  An old man emerged from the curved turquoise colored door of the haveli confirming that the Sarpanch is in a foul mood and he will not meet anyone. “It is in your interest I am saying don’t meet the Sarpanch today. He is upset and may not oblige you today. His men have messed up the distemper.” warned the old man. Nanadan started to retreat with a strong feeling of no accomplishment
No sooner did Nandan reach home that he found a large crowd of villagers gathered outside his house. Inside the compound there was a spotless white cow who was garlanded with the bright marigold flowers and a saffron tilak smeared on her forehead. On asking he was told that the cow had walked into their household on her own. She looked tired and the cow wanted to rest. So the family gave her shelter. And also according to the village mystic saint Amma, she is a holy cow!. According to her the cow has travelled all the way from Krishna’s Vrindavan. She is a sacred cow and would bring good fortune to the family she choses to be with.
Nandan believed every word of Amma and could see the family already reaping the benefits. On that day Nandan’s elder son had not fought or bullied anyone and therefore there were no complains. Nandan’s daughter had passed her class five exams after many failed attempts. Govind had not misplaced any school books, belts, pencils, lunch box or any such accessory. And above all Nandan had got back a small piece of land from his estranged brother. All in all it was good news from all sides. Chandini undoubtedly was the lucky mascot for the family.
So the wailing of the entire family was not uncalled for. Their lucky mascot, Krishna's angel Chandini was missing.
Govind was feeling week and helpless.  He slid against the cow shed door and hid his head between his long bent knees and began to sob. While his head was hid in between his bony knees, he noticed something peculiar. There was white, milky  liquid trailing down. The white watery from was in bright contrast to the dull brown earth smeared and spotted with cow dung. He raised his head wanting to know what it was and the source of this “Doodhganga”. He noticed that the white water was tipping from a discolored cow.  This white like liquid was falling down from her face, hind and fore legs, tail and everywhere. On closer quarters the white water was dropping nonstop. He though that he must tell his family, he must raise an alarm. What if someone has hexed the cow? He ran across the Tulsi plant over to his Daadi and held her by hand and pointed to the cow shed. By then all the family was standing outside the cow barn, wondering what could this be, while Nandan refused to acknowledge any other worry other than the loss of Chandini. Daadi in her most reverberating voice called Nandan over “You nincompoop! Come here. Stop mourning over Chandini. We have a bigger trouble in hand.”
Nandan paced to the barn and was astonished to see the spot. He looked at it for a long time and appeared to be lost in deep thoughts. He started to walk around the tulsi plant in deep thoughts and scratching his head.  After a deep introspection for a long time, Nandan was able to resolve the mystery. Sleuth Nandan declared “Everything is fine. Nothing to worry. This white fluid dropping from this cow’s body is nothing but a distemper. Remember I told you that the Sarpanch was cross with his men because the white wash on the haveli was not being accomplished properly and in this event many of his cows had gone strayed. This must be one of his cows on whom the white paint must have fallen erroneously and thus turned her into Chandini. The Sarpanch’s men must have not been able to recognize her and must have omitted her. Scared and bewildered Chandini must have walked into our household looking for shelter”.
So our Chandini is back. Hearing this everyone had a hearty laughter.
“Ma, I cannot find my school belt and the tiffin box. Where is it? shouted Govind.  Ma gave a louder reply “Dear son, check with village Amma, she might know!!!”