Cries of the cow

Cries of the cow

All mortals please listen to what I have to say: the one who suffers the most in the world is the farm cattle.

Toiling throughout the four seasons, I endured all hardships without rest.
The plough on my shoulder was extremely heavy; the hemp whip was lashed upon my back numerous times.

Malicious words and abusive scolding were showered down on me; I could not but go on quickly, never dare to stop.

I made arduous attempts to plough the field but the soil was hard; tears rolled down as my stomach was empty without even a blade of grass.

I prayed someone would soon come to my rescue; yet I had to plough the field till noon.
Tormented by hunger, I ate a mouthful of rice in the field; all I got was scolding from all in the family, that I was a cow of plague.

All year round I only got to eat the grass; but you took away all grains of my toil and moil.
Long-grained white rice was cooked for the family; glutinous rice was made cakes and pastries for the relatives and friends.

Wheat, millet, cotton and the likes—there was nothing you lacked; sesame, beans and grains were abundant in the fields.

During joyous occasions when you took a daughter-in-law or married off your daughter, you thought of selling me off in exchange for some money.

As I became old and feeble, you sold me off to the butcher and made me a beef cattle.
I was tied up and my throat was cut; my skin was peeled off and my flesh cut through--what deep-seated hatred was there between us that you had to treat me so?

My eyes were brimming with tears, but I couldn’t speak a word. My stomach was cut open, and my intestines pulled out. Blood gushed forth everywhere!

You skinned me to make the drum for you to beat. Your cruelty shook the heaven and moved the earth—even the gods and spirits were grieved.

Those who sold me soon became wretched; those who ate me became my great enemy!Carefully think over your killing me. Every injustice is to be avenged—is this revenging ever going to end?

(Translated by Ooi Pei Ling (Alor Star)