I started looking at the cows one by one. They were all so beautiful. I thought to myself, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a ‘Best Beauty’ competition for these cows, just like the Lux Super Star contest. The most beautiful cow in the Gabtali market or the most expensive cow in the Aftabnagar market. A competition like that. People would come from far and wide to see the best cows.
While thinking about this, I suddenly realized that I was all alone in the entire market. There was no one else. And the cows were staring at me. The same cows I had wanted to give the title of ‘Best Beauty’ just a moment ago now seemed the most terrifying. I started looking around. After a while, I suddenly saw that all the cows’ tethers were coming undone. How strange! Why were the cows’ tethers coming undone all of a sudden?
Suddenly, before I could understand anything, the cows were running towards me. What a disaster! What was happening? Why were all the cows coming towards me?
Without a second thought, I shouted, ‘Let’s race!’ I ran, the cows ran. I ran, the cows ran too. As I ran and ran from Gabtoli to Mirpur, I saw a bunch of people with mobile phones, cameras, and DSLRs, filming me and the herd.
A little further, I saw our race being broadcast live on TV. And there was this beautiful reporter saying, ‘Dear viewers, you are watching a young man, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, running away with a herd of cows. It’s an extraordinary sight. I feel like I’m watching a Hollywood action movie where the hero is chasing his opponents with cows.’
Oh God! What is this reporter saying? I shouted, ‘Hey, man! Save me. I’m not the Pied Piper of Hamelin, I’m a hapless young man who’s chasing a herd of cows. Save me.’
Oh my! This is a whole different story. Hearing my words, the reporter said, ‘Viewers, you just saw the cow herder of Hamelin declare war against the people of this city. Please move away quickly. Danger is imminent. The cow society has taken up arms to claim their rights.’
Then everyone ran away at once. I was left alone again. My body was trembling. Sweat was dripping down my forehead. And I’m not Usain Bolt, so how could I outrun the cows? I tripped and fell. But strangely, the cows didn’t trample over me; they just kept running forward. I stopped and looked. Countless cows were racing past me on either side.
A strange flute melody wafted from afar. This was the first time I had ever heard such a sound. It was mesmerizing.
But who was playing that flute? And why were the cows running? Could it be that the Pied Piper of Hamelin had returned in a new form?
