What started as a simple act of kindness on a hotel balcony turned into an unforgettable friendship between a woman and a group of surprisingly thoughtful crows.
When author and law student Tejaswinee Roychowdhury traveled to Calcutta, India, for a two-week university trip, she expected to spend most of her time alone. But just one morning into her stay, she found herself surrounded by some unexpected visitors.
A group of curious crows had gathered on her hotel balcony, perching along the railing as if hoping to make a new friend.
Touched by their presence, Roychowdhury decided to share a little of her breakfast.
“I started giving them biscuits,” she told The Dodo.
The following morning, the crows returned, seemingly expecting another delicious treat. But this time, Roychowdhury had almost nothing left to share.
“I had limited food, so I didn’t give them any biscuits that day,” she explained.
What happened next was something she never could have imagined.
When Roychowdhury stepped onto her balcony the following morning, she discovered several pieces of bread scattered across the floor. At first, the unexpected sight puzzled her. Then she realized who might have left them.
The very crows she’d been feeding appeared to be returning the favor.
“[I] didn’t feed the crows since yesterday morning, as I’m low on biscuits,” she shared on X. “So, this morning, they left bread on the balcony thinking I ran out of food.”
The thoughtful gesture melted her heart.
Crows are remarkably intelligent birds, known for recognizing human faces, remembering kindness and occasionally leaving objects for people they’ve formed connections with. Although no one can know exactly what these particular birds were thinking, their behavior certainly seemed like a touching exchange of generosity.
“I loved it so much,” Roychowdhury said.
And the sweetest part? It wasn’t just a one-time surprise.
After realizing her feathered visitors were still coming back, Roychowdhury bought more food to share. This time, she swapped the biscuits for almonds, hoping to offer them something more nutritious.
The crows happily accepted their new breakfast. But despite having plenty to eat, they continued leaving pieces of bread on her balcony.
At one point, Roychowdhury even caught them in the act.
“I actually noticed them toss the bread on the balcony,” she recalled. “I saw it from the window by the balcony.”
Each morning became a little exchange of kindness. Roychowdhury provided almonds, and the crows continued dropping off their mysterious bread offerings.
Of course, she never actually ate the bread they brought her. And when the birds noticed it remained untouched, some would return later in the day to eat it themselves.
For the entire two-week stay, this unusual breakfast tradition continued, transforming an ordinary hotel balcony into the setting of an extraordinary human-animal connection.
Eventually, though, it was time for Roychowdhury to check out and return home.
Saying goodbye to her unexpected friends wasn’t easy.
“It was very sweet. The day I was leaving, [the crows] were nearby, and one was on the staircase railing. I felt like they understood I was going away,” she said.
The experience was especially memorable because it happened shortly after the release of a book she had edited, adding another meaningful coincidence to her trip.
What began with a few shared biscuits had turned into something much more special — a daily reminder that even the smallest gestures of kindness can create unexpected connections.
And although Roychowdhury may never see those particular crows again, the memories they left her with are worth far more than any gift.
“For me, it is something I’ll always cherish,” she said.