HOPE THEY RETURN

HOPE THEY RETURN

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

23/VII/2022

One got out of the house for the usual morning chore. No, it was not the milkman, no, it was not for watering the plants either. It had rained heavily yesterday. It was to pick up the newspaper. Rain clouds were threatening again, it was bliss.

There was a flurry of activity. A couple of ‘Tailor birds’, came to say hello to me. In one glance I could see four or five chirping with their tails twitching up and down fanatically. They twittered as loud as they could. Something was amiss.

One could make out they were sensing danger. With cats on the prowl, I reckoned that birds were sensing danger. These ‘girls’ hopped and popped from tree to the pots, to the railing, to the roof and then to back to the fence at lightning speed, as if telling me to go away. They were never scared of me. What was unusual today? Could it be a snake?

Yesterday our neighbour’s son came running uncle-uncle dekho kya hai? As I looked out of the window and stepped outside, I could hardly believe my eyes. A crowd had gathered outside Ellis’ drive.

Uncle ‘Saaanp’, that shaky voice said, pointing towards a wriggly-wiggly creature. It was an unusually long earthworm, about nine inches. It had just rained and now was the time for these guys to come out of their burrows. I picked it up in my hand. He shouted, quite petrified, “Uncle mere pass mat lana”. ‘Mr Worm’ was placed in one of the pots. Down he burrowed into the mud.

People who were in a huddle stood frozen, looking at me as I was some sort of Tarzan or Hercules. “Aap ko dar nahi lagta Uncle”? ‘Kenchuae’ se kya darna beta’, I said. “Agar Saanp hota to”? “To main haat lagata kya '', I replied. Hmm, he said and kept staring at me like a ‘zombie’. This chap is preparing for Civil Services by the way.

The thunder and lightning was an indication that rain was imminent. I had just had a bath in the first shower of the day and did not want to get wet again, so I moved in. I overheard the chat, “ye uncle tagra hai, vo kisi bhi jeev ko pakar leta hai”. I had picked up a ‘slug’ a couple of days back, which he was trying to move with a stick. I smiled to myself and let it be.

Be that as it may. I soon realised a small ‘Tailor Bird’ chick had come and perched on our portulaca collection. It was holding on to the stalk for dear life. It looked so dainty and cute. I realised that I was the actual threat. I retreated and got my camera to capture some action.

My goodness, there were chicks all over, one on the pot, one on the floor, one on the fence, one on the neighbour’s moped. The chicks were taking their first ‘flying lesson’. One had to keep an eye on the cats. They are ruthless. This tiny morsel, maybe a gramme or two would make a tasty snack.

The chicks were nervous & frightened and the parents perturbed. A few quick clicks and I gave my camera rest. The birds were left to their ‘instructional session’. Chicks were loving their first solo flying. Their hearts must be beating hard as they step into the unknown. Their tiny wings were taking to the skies for the first time. Wings must be paining, forcing them to take short flights and a break for a breather.

Will they come back again to our small little garden? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!!!

JAI HIND