Nurungukal  cntd.......

                                Krishnan and family were our neighbours. His wife Devaki and his sister Ammu worked with us.His brother Kuttappa was a coconut tree climber, but in an accident when his right arm was broken  he continued as a facilitator managing a team of climbers.Krishnan  was a cattle broker [PORUTHUKARAN }. He was unique and most wanted. Father depended on him to purchase cows. He was a well known person in almost all the cattle shanties, viz; Perumpilavil chantha, Vaniyamkode chantha etc. When required father will ask him to locate a cow. He will already have a list with exact descriptions. Out of this he will short list one or two and next day early morning will go for an inspection. If it is a holiday I will also accompany them. On foot we would cover at least three to four miles. The owner will be ready to milk. Father will go round the cow and would ask the owner to take the cow for a walk to know whether she had any defective legs.He will ensure the cow has bright eyes , long tail touching the floor, the udder is fairly big and the tits are equally positioned etc. The colour of the cow and sex of the calf are also important factors. A female calf can fetch better price.  Single colour, wide ears, short horns and soft skin etc are good characteristics. But only on few occasions such a cow can be found,  When the negotiation progress all these will surface.

                                Those days a good cow produced around 2 to 3 litres of milk. It was expressed in terms of nazhi about 200 ml. If the milk was not up to the projected quantity Krishnan would have a ready explanation. For example Our presence has frightened her and the lactation has been controlled by her, or the previous night the calf had sucked the tits etc  .etc . After a prolonged exchange of arguments and counters the price will be fixed and by evening she will be brought our house .

                                The ordeal commences next day morning. There was a lady  named Kunhamma to look after the cattle. When  she is about to touch the tits either the cow will give a kick or move out. After a prolonged  effort she will manage to milk half the quantity which was promised.  Some times the bucket will be kicked out just escaping the face of Kunhamma, or it will attempt to gore her. But Kunhamma will not succumb . if needed she would tie the cow tight to the pole or even the legs to accomplish the task .Immediately Krishnan will be summoned. He will appear before father showing all signs of reverence.  That posture is still fresh in me.He will remain slightly stooping forward, with  a  towel [ THORTH ] kept in between  arm and body { kaksham } and with a special facial expression showing his stained teeth. Father will be in his easy chair and  mother will take up the issue  in a hostile manner. But  Krishnan who is an expert  to  deal such out bursts will remain poised  and will put forth a number of reasons which we ha d to accept graciously..

                                I still remember an incident  in which he applied his presence of mind to buy a cow  for which there were many takers in Perumpilavil Chanda .  Many aspirants were surrounding it and there was no possibility of striking a low deal. His customer was very fond of the animal and wanted to buy. But what to do . Others were equally  fond of. It was now Krishnan used his sixth sense. He went round the animal and made a statement which was heard by the crowd.  "Hey this cow was  the one which had fallen in a well a few days ago , so let us with draw".  On hearing this one by one withdrew  and he easily fixed a deal for his customer. He had unique ways of striking deals which will satisfy both parties. I am yet to come across such a breed of cattle brokers . My salute to his professionalism.