Shyama Diaries -1
Shyama wanted love and affection, and I soon discovered that my little feathered friend loved playing with me. Feeding time was no longer just about food; it had become an opportunity for the two of us to bond. One day, while I was feeding Shyama, the little bird slipped from my grip and climbed onto my hands. Before I could catch hold of it, it swiftly made its way towards my head and became entangled in my long hair.
Instead of being frightened, Shyama seemed to enjoy clinging to me. I carefully disentangled it from my hair, amused by its playful antics. As the days passed, my little companion grew naughtier and more adventurous. It was no longer content to sit quietly in its nest. It wanted to explore its surroundings, and my balcony had become its playground.
One morning, I went to the balcony to feed Shyama, but to my surprise, it was nowhere to be seen. I searched every nook and corner, looking behind the flowerpots and around its usual hiding places. My heart began to sink. Had it fallen off the balcony? The thought was frightening. Disappointed and worried, I finally turned towards the house, not knowing where else to look.
Just then, something caught my eye. There was Shyama, sitting comfortably on the gas meter!
My relief quickly turned into delight. My little bird had begun to fly! What a wonderful milestone it was to witness. The tiny creature I had once rescued from beside a dustbin was gradually discovering its wings and exploring the world around it.
Over the next few days, Shyama began taking short flights and climbing up the net covering our balcony, which had been installed to keep pigeons away. It would cling to the net and slowly make its way upwards, exploring its newfound freedom with the innocence of a child. Watching it fill its days with such curiosity brought me immense joy. It had no idea how cruel the world could be or how vulnerable it still was.
One day, as Shyama was slowly climbing the net, a shikra—a bird of prey—appeared out of nowhere. In a flash, it swooped towards my little bird, ready to attack. My heart nearly stopped. I was standing just behind Shyama, and perhaps my presence startled the predator. The shikra made a sudden U-turn and flew away without harming it.
I stood there, shaken by how narrowly Shyama had escaped. The predator had retreated, but what if it returned? What if, the next time, I was not there to protect my little friend? Shyama was still too innocent to recognise danger, too trusting to understand that the same open sky that gave it the freedom to fly could also expose it to predators.
The thought of losing Shyama was unbearable. I could not take another chance with its life. I gently brought my little adventurer inside the house, away from the balcony and the lurking danger outside. After exploring its new surroundings, Shyama found a hiding place beneath the wooden book cabinet, which soon became its favourite little corner.
Shyama Diaries -3
Video : Learning to fly without its mother's guidance
Pic : Spreading its wings
No comments:
Post a Comment