(Background: In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, we had a Budgie land in our yard. I took numerous pictures and wrote a short little story based upon those photos. I updated the story in 2023, adding much to it, as a way to express what had been going on in my own life. I hope you all enjoy it). It is a draft; so, feel free to comment if you find typo's etc.)
A Strange Bird in a Strange World
Written by: Dianna Wood
Photography and Photo Art Illustrations by: Dianna Wood
August 25, 2020
All Beauregard remembers when he woke
up on the ground that day, is that a Hawk had snatched him up earlier from the
railing of the outdoor balcony where Timmy had set him in order to clean his
cage.
Not only did he have no idea where he was, when he looked down, he also noticed that his tail feathers were missing. Perhaps that was why the Hawk had lost its grip on him when he fell to the ground. He never thought loosing tail feathers was a good thing; until that very moment!
Not only were his tail feathers gone; but he was also hungry and thirsty; tired, and scared.
He surveyed the entire area. First by flying low to
the ground and then from tree to tree, trying to find anything that might help
him to figure out where he was; but nothing looked remotely familiar.
Having no idea how long the Hawk had carried him
before his tail feather gave way, he realized that he was horribly lost and
likely many miles away from home. He knew he needed to find food and
water so that he could build up his strength. The flight back, if
that was even possible, would be a long and exhausting journey.
He finally found the "The Wood's
Secret Garden" where there was plenty of food to eat and water to
drink. He was excited to see so many other birds; but he could also sense
that they were not sure what to think about him.
The Gold Finches seemed a bit jealous
of his powder blue color. Although more subtle then their vibrant yellow; they
were afraid that people might think that his color was actually prettier than
theirs. After all, it did stand out as much as theirs when he flew--just
in a different way.
The Red Birds were also a bit
perplexed when they saw him coming close to the seeds that were on the ground
just below the hanging feeder. To be honest, they did not warmly receive him
and he could sense their lack of hospitality.
To be fair to the other birds; he
realized that since his cage at Timmy's was right by a window, he was familiar
with all of them; but, none of them had ever seen the likes of him
before.
In fact, none of them had ever seen a bird quite like him in their entire life and most people do have a hard time with "different".
Fortunately for him, a Mourning Dove (who was very acquainted with being bullied and certainly had compassion for him in regard to his horrible experience with that Hawk) arrived and stood guard over him while he filled his belly with sweet seeds and also found plenty of water to drink.
Once he
finished eating and drinking, the dove flew away. It was quickly turning
dark and he knew he would need to find a place to sleep before attempting to
find his way home.
He flew
up into the Crepe Myrtle Tree and found a branch where he felt safe and almost
instantly fell into a deep, restful sleep. He was so glad to discover
that the overnight temperatures were in the mid-seventies, which was just
perfect for parakeets.
The next morning, as the sun was
slowly rising, he cracked open one eye and noticed beneath the tree several
furry creatures had gathered.
He was not sure whether to be scared
of them or to try to talk to them and see if they could help him find his way
home.
After all, he was so different from the other birds. He had no tail feathers; his beak was smashed into his face; his feathers were a different color than any of the other wild birds; and he didn't even sing or tweet like the other birds.
In fact, when they had heard him tweeting with the Dove earlier, they all thought he sounded bossy and arrogant. But that was just because they were not used to the different sound of his tweets and they didn't really know him.
Theodore W. Squirrel, who was one of
the first to speak of all the animals gathered beneath the tree, informed him
that they had been talking about him all night long and that none of them knew
what to think of him.
At hearing that honest proclamation, Beauregard decided to get brave and ask the furry critters to help him. He told them all about Timmy and the Hawk and the balcony and finding himself on the ground in this strange place. He asked them if anyone had any idea how to help him find his way home.
As soon as Theodore W. Squirrel heard his story he instantly remembered that his cousin Notch always bragged about all the peanuts he used to eat off some kid named Timmy's balcony almost every morning.
Since Theodore W. Squirrel knew where his cousin lived, he reasoned that the balcony must not be far from there. That was such exciting news because that meant that Theodore could help point the way home!
With this new hope, Beauregard led them all back to where he first landed. Theodore W. Squirrel pointed out the direction to where he believed Timothy lived, and they all waved goodbye as they watched him start his long flight home.
Once Beauregard was out of sight, Theodore W. Squirrel
called a meeting of all the birds and fur covered critters of the Wood's Secret
Garden (which is something he usually did when he felt there was something to
be learned by all.)
To the Gold Finch he said: "Never be jealous of others because they may be outwardly more attractive than you. What matters is your heart. Outward beauty is fleeting."
To the Cardinals he said: "Always embrace the stranger even if they are different then you. Show love and hospitality to all and offer a place to stay and food to eat to anyone who is in need.
To everyone he said, "Never judge another by how they sound before you even know them. Sometimes the softest speaking are the most unloving and arrogant".
He than said, "The most important lesson is that although Beauregard was a strange bird in a strange world, he kept his hope alive and his courage intact because although some of us were not very kind to him and may have misjudged him, he knew his time with us was only temporary and one day he would find his way back home and that was where is heart remained faithful.
The End
(“Beauregard” is a masculine name of French
origin meaning "beautiful gaze." This medieval French name is thought to have
originated as a surname for those who lived in a very scenic area.)
Comments