Herding and Harmony:My peacefully village days

Herding and Harmony:My peacefully village days 

In today’s world, many people feel pressured by work, family issues, education, or relationships. Often, we don’t take the time to consider that we might just need a rest, a walk, or even a bit of therapy to recharge.

The question is, what did you do on weekends when you were young? Most people are free, and since the weekend flies by, it's good to spend it doing something constructive. Making a list of things you want to do—and actually sticking to it—can bring a sense of fulfillment.

People who grew up in  towns and cities might feel luckier with more options, but who says those in villages aren’t lucky? Let me share my story of finding peace on my own as a child, when I was around 7 to 9 years old, living with my mom and grandma in the village.

Weekends in the village had a routine. On Saturdays, I was responsible for herding cows, and on Friday evenings, I’d bring the sheep back from their grazing area. It might sound crazy, but that was my role, and I loved it. I’d wake up, have breakfast, pack lunch, grab some snacks (yes, that’s where the sweet tooth started!), and carry my essentials—an umbrella and a raincoat, as I never had sunny holidays during April and August. Then I’d head out, ready to herd.

The field where I herded was close to where my grandma and workers would be planting maize or applying fertilizers or pesticides. It was surrounded by trees—some natural, some planted. Nearby, neighboring farms and a river cut across the field, which sloped downwards. I would roam the field all day to ensure the cows were well-fed.

How did I know the time? I didn’t have a watch, but my late cousin and childhood friends taught me how to tell time by the sun. When the sun was at its highest, and my shadow was short, it was lunchtime. After lunch, as the shadow grew, it was time to take the cows to water, and when the sun began setting, I knew it was time to head home.

Sometimes, my little cousin would join me, helping carry things and guiding the cows back. Those walks home were the best—chatting as the sun set, feeling the cool air, and knowing the cows were full. That feeling of contentment is something I’ll always cherish.

The air was cool, the birds chirped, the river flowed—everything felt natural. But today, due to deforestation, rivers are drying up. We need to do more, like planting trees, and taking climate action seriously. After all, peace and nature go hand in hand.