Nature’s Lesson
Friday, June 14, 2024
I was walking Sebago on the trail in my neighborhood-our regular route. Self-absorbed with demoralizing reflections and negative self-talk, I kept my distance from others. Five people were ahead of me, and I adjusted my speed accordingly-my lingering knee issue helped curtail a decent pace anyway.
Suddenly, I heard a ruckus from the bushes. I turned but saw nothing and kept walking. Then, I heard the ruckus again and the loud calling of a bird. Now, my curiosity hooked me to finding the source of the rustling and captivating bird song. Alongside the trail, is a drainage ditch that leads to a cement covered culvert. I heard the noise coming from under this cover, so I squatted-again difficult to do with my knee issue- but managed to adjust my body to see the trapped baby bird. This frenetic bird was relentless in its efforts to get out of a hopeless situation. I spent the next twenty minutes finagling my arm inside the culvert to grasp the bird. Success!
While walking home, I was struck by the determination of this avian baby. The commotion did not garner anyone else’s attention. Furthermore, the bird had no way out of the cement encasement, yet the bird either through folly or perseverance refused to quit. Because the bird refused to quit, I overheard the commotion, and thus the bird was rescued. My demoralizing feelings dissipated into the realization that I must be like this bird to find a partner to champion my work. I brought the bird home.
“What did you find now, mom?” Ella shrieked when I walked into her room. “Get it out, what is it a snake?”
“No, it’s a baby bird.”
“Great. Can you get it out of my room?” she asked.
I put the bird in an animal carrier and left it in the garden overnight. Saturday morning, I drove to Project Wildlife-yes, I have previously saved a few birds, so I knew where to go. The staff informed me I rescued a mockingbird. The encounter rescued us both!
Saturday Morning Song! The baby bird before I brought it to Project Wildlife.