Owlie

Owlie – by Vijaya Ghose

About the Author

Vijaya Ghose is an Indian author known for her heartfelt stories about animals and human-animal relationships. Her writing style is simple, warm, and engaging, making her stories accessible and enjoyable for young readers.

Summary of the Story

The story Owlie revolves around a young girl named Payal and her mother, who are known for taking in abandoned and injured animals. People in the neighbourhood regularly bring lost dogs, injured cats, and baby birds to their home because Payal's mother has a big heart for all creatures. One day, a woman named Shefali didi arrives with a carton containing a tiny owlet — a small ball of brown and grey. Payal excitedly names the baby owl "Owlie," and the family takes on the challenge of raising her.

Since Payal's family is strictly vegetarian (even their dogs are vegetarian!), getting meat for Owlie is a memorable first. Payal's mother overcomes her dislike of meat to feed the owlet. When she first pushes minced meat down Owlie's beak, the baby owl falls on her back with her feet in the air — Payal and her mother believe Owlie has died and cry together. However, they soon learn that playing dead is the owlet's natural defence mechanism. Over time, Owlie learns to eat on her own, though she tends to bite any hand that comes near her, thinking it is offering food.