Birdie in Spirituality

“Come back Birdie! I miss you!”

It was the big day. Dad promised me that he would allow Birdie out of his cage for his 2nd birthday. Birdie is an amazing parrot; with light green feathers, a tinge of orange and around 15 centimetres tall. He talks like you would expect him to, funny right? Well, except for when he is hungry.

For the last two years, Birdie has been my companion. I pour out my heart to him when Aiden pushed me against the wall of the toilet and broke my nose. I shared my joy with him when Dad gave me the plane. How I wish you could fly on my plane Birdie. I put my head against his cage and he nuzzles against me, spreading the warmth and affection only a friend could provide.

I had so much planned for Birdie’s birthday; his favourite grains, a new spacious cage for him to spread his wings and some other little surprises.

Dad releases the latch and Birdie cautiously, almost tentatively hops out. He spreads his wings and the magnificence of the myriad colours of his wings warm my heart. Gently he flaps his wings and climbs graciously, circling all of us, excitingly yelling, “Birdie is happy, Birdie is happy.”

Whooosh, he finds an open window and escapes.

“Birdie, no! Birdie comes back. Birdie!!”

Dad rushes out of the house, I follow him, but Birdie was gone. I couldn’t stop crying. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, I kept yelling, “Birdie Birdie” from the porch.

“Ethan, come here son.”

Dad is squatting and pulled me into his arms.

“You are a good son Ethan. Birdie had to go, his place wasn’t here with us. You have me and I have you. Birdie was all alone.”

“But Birdie had me, Dad.” (sobbing quietly)

“He went to find his dad then. Won’t you wish that he finds his family as well?”

I detach from dad’s embrace and glance at the sky.

Goodbye Birdie! Find your happiness. I love you.

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