LIFE GOES ON

 

LIFE GOES ON

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

24/VI/2022

 

As we begin a new day, so do the little birdies around. Never have we seen them with long faces, grumbling, sulking or fretting. They greet each other, speak with each other, call each other maybe names or nick names, we don’t know, but they ‘chitter-chatter’ as if there is no tomorrow.

 

They are not bothered if there are fresh grains or they are left over from yesterday. Imagine what they must be discussing. Probably they might be expecting a fresh menu from me every day.

 

Our children show such ‘Nakhras’. ‘Ye koi banane ki cheez hai, main ne nahi khana, kuch aur banao, ye mujhe accha nahi lagta. Their tantrums are unending. The same child who refuses to eat ‘Shrews berry’ biscuits at home, would munch a ‘Darle G’ packet at someone’s else’s house. Can these little birdies afford to throw such tantrums? That would be the day.

 

What would be discussing? Sis, the ‘bajra bhatooras’ here are so oily, ‘Jawar paneer’ is so tasteless, the ‘rice pulav’ was over cooked, the ‘dalia’ was so geela. Reminded me of two fauji brats discussing their woes. “Yesterday I goondowed some atta and the atta became so geela that I had to put in some more atta to make the geela ata sooka to bailo roti”.

 

One thing that I noticed was, they are quick eaters. A couple of bites and they fly off only to return after a while. It is difficult to make out the difference between two birds of the same kind for me but having observed them, the same ones do return. Probably they don’t like to become targets of predatory birds waiting for a catch. It is a matter of survival.

 

Moment one bird descends to the grain, she calls all relatives and friends. Sakhi tum bhi aao, don’t forget to bring jijaji. Phoopha ji would love it, maasi can be called once she returns from her maika. Shall we carry some for Nani? Let’s not make faces and eat quickly before dad comes or else, we would have to face the music. Look these ones are nice. Those ones are soggy and so on.

 

One thing which intrigues me that none of the birds overeat. She takes what is required and leaves the rest for others. Some days they have to work hard to dig out grains from the sand. On some days even insects are on their menu. They live in the moment. Whatever is available, they eat.

 

Nests of one species are generally identical. The quality of twigs, grass and leaves may vary, but their shape, size and security system are almost the same. Some lay two eggs, some more but none of them boast about their homes, or do they? I have a 3 BHK or you have a studio apartment kind. There is no nest on rent. They build nests, carrying each twig, each blade of grass, each leaf, tirelessly. Once the nest finds approval, they stick to it.

 

Once they get on to ‘nest making’, they don’t stop. The pair teams up, takes a break for foraging for food, may be a dip and a drink of water but then they have a job at hand. Their work stops only when the nest is done.

 

Twenty-one days is the general time for eggs to hatch. They guard and protect their nests to the best of their ability. Birds are aware that the stronger sibling may throw out the weaker one out of the nest. Sometimes other birds and snakes enter their nests, that doesn’t deter them from starting their family once again.

 

Birds wait for the moment when the little chick grows wings to fly. They rather teach it to fly. They escort it like the air force does to bombers on a mission. Birds are masters of diverting attention of cats, snakes and Kites. They attack with ferocity. Most of the times the hunt is abandoned.

 

Once the little chick has flown, they still feed it. The chick doesn’t stop demanding. It continues flapping its wings, ‘Mama Bhook lagi’. They never say I won’t eat this. Parents may go hungry but gather food for the chick. ‘Bas do minute’ and she gets a  juicy noodle looking worm.

 

They may be called ‘bird brains’ but they are intelligent. They know seasons, they understand storms, they know strength of each twig they build their nests with, they always stay alert. They have feelings and mourn but for a short while. Life has to go on.

 

Imagine with food in your beak or gullet, they carry it home. Imagine you and me keeping a gulab gamun in our mouths and carry it back home. Can any of us do it? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© NOEL ELLIS