Triumphs of a talking crow

Prawin Adhikari’s ‘Budhani’, a retelling of an age-old Tharu folktale, is more than just another fable where wisdom wins over the wicked.

While there were some wonderful segments in the book launch of ‘Budhani’ at the Bakery Cafe in Pulchowk, which offers just the right space and energy for such events, the showstopper was an unexpected guest. As Prawin Adhikari, the writer behind the refabulation of ‘Budhani’, read aloud his speech, the cheeky little crow from the book’s cover had sprung to life and perched clumsily on the wall behind him. I tried to stay focused on Adhikari’s words but kept marvelling at the little crow hopping along the wall.