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When Mothers become Tigresses


"A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. " - Agatha Christie
It's not funny how aggressive a mother can be when she feels that her child is threatened in the remotest way. What do you think? I'd love to know your thoughts, observations and interesting experiences on this.

Comments

R. Ramesh said…
thanks swapnaji 4 those consoling words..and sorry for late reply.just returned to sharjah..am really touched..wish u n fmly d best..
April 11, 2012 at 9:45 PM
chow and chatter said…
so agree we defend our kids like crazy
April 17, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Domesticated Bachelor said…
The Maternal Instinct, in my opinion is one of the strongest forces in the world. The first story that comes to mind is the Story of the brave Milk maid Hirakani and Shivaji Maharaj. (thanks to Amar Chirta Katha when I was growing up ☺ )

She was trapped inside the fortress, because the gates had been shut, and because of the royal decree, would not be opened till sunrise. She had to get out to her baby in the village below. She scaled the walls, and climbed down to the foothills, going down a vertical drop of over 2700 meters, so that she could go home to her baby to feed him.
Quoting a Marathi poem

And as she strolled around inside the gigantic fort
Tired and desperate, found a last resort
She found the vertical drop of the hill lacking a fence
Without a slightest fear of death to sense
The mother in her drove away her helplessness
Hiding her milk pots there and she slid/ clung/ down the dizzy ravine
She plunged in through the unknown path and way
where bravest of the men would not travel in day
The thorny bushes scratched her clothes, limbs and face
As she struggled to reach home to feed her child in grace
No danger could have stopped her that night
A mother turned ferocious for a glimpse of her baby’s sight
She reached home and kissed her child passionately
Fed him, touched him and caressed him happily.

Shivaji strengthened that side of the fort, (the eastern side if memory serves me correct) and named it Hirakani Burj, and it still stands today, a long lasting testament to Mother’s love! (http://www.navhindtimes.in/panorama/tale-valiant-heart)

As someone who loves wildlife and spends a lot of time in the wild, I have had ample opportunities to see such instances, both in person and on video. I have seen a video shot by a friend of a Sambhar Mother with her fawn cornered in a pond by a pack of about 10 Dholes (Wild Dogs). She stands facing these ferocious and hungry pack, thwarting any attack from any side from the pack and an hour later, exhausted, she emerged triumphant, with the pack beating a retreat. You can see an edited version of the video here https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150346684655158&set=vb.665030157&type=2&theater

I have seen in person, a pair of parrots, chase away a mighty Black Kite.

Many many instances can be recounted both from human history and natural history. Part of what we are, is because of that strong force – the maternal love that we have gotten from our Mothers. Her offspring, are a part of her, she has carried them in her, nurtured them, undergone pain in delivering them, and she is definitely going to stand up to any force, however stronger or greater than her, to protect and nurture what she still considers a part of herself.

Which, on another note, is also reason why, Mothers never get over the death of an offspring, where as Siblings and Fathers always do. ..
April 17, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Domesticated Bachelor said…
An after thought to my comment - to be more precise - the last statement. Siblings and Fathers don't get over the loss, they cope better; than mothers do.
April 18, 2012 at 2:40 AM
cfp123 said…
Really Yummy!!!
chennaiflowerplaza.com
April 18, 2012 at 8:12 PM
R. Ramesh said…
the bond is too strong indeed...and thanks swapnaji:)
April 18, 2012 at 9:55 PM
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