The Flavours of Freedom

Little Birdie was very angry. He was annoyed with Mommie for telling him that he was too young to fly away on his own. Had he not shown her how good he was, by flying to the tree which was across the stream passing close to the tree where he was nested? He felt confident that he could fly around the forest exploring all those wondrous places he had heard the other birds talking about. He felt that he was grown up enough to find his own food. Why was Mommie being so protective, asking him to wait till he had grown older? Wasn’t he old enough?  When would he be able to get the taste of freedom?

After a night spent restlessly, little Birdie decided that enough was enough. He was leaving no matter what his Mommie thought. He hopped out of the comfortable nest where his brother and sister were nestled closely. His sister stirred a little and then settled back to sleep. His Mommie had already gone out to get them their breakfast. This was his best chance, little Birdie thought. He decided, “I must leave now before brother and sister wake up and raise a hue and cry.” He glanced at them and wondered how they could sleep so contentedly when the whole world was calling out to him, inviting him to explore it.

Little Birdie flew across to the next tree. He wasn’t really sure how far he could fly at a stretch, but did it really matter? He flew across from one tree to the next. He felt exhilarated. This was the first time he had flown so far away from the home he knew. Ah, how wrong his Mommie was!! He would show her that he was grown up enough to look after himself. 

After a little exploration, little Birdie realised that his little tummy was rumbling. He hadn’t had his breakfast! Ever since he could remember, Mommie had always been ready with some sweet berries or seeds for him when he woke up in the morning. But today, he had to figure out on his own how to quieten the rumblings. Just then he saw a tree in the distance. The tree was laden was luscious fruits. But there was quite a distance to cross before he could reach it. His little wings were feeling weary, as they were still unaccustomed to flying so much. Little Birdie decided to rest a little, and then cover the distance bit by bit. As he rested, he wondered if Mommie had been right after all? Was he strong enough to make it to the fruit-laden tree? As the initial excitement started wearing off, Little Birdie started feeling a little scared and just a teeny weeny little lonely. He wasn’t sure if it had been a blunder to leave the comfort of his home in the name of freedom.

As he was fighting these creeping devils of self-doubts, he managed to make it to the fruit-laden tree. Such delicious fruits!! As he enjoyed the juicy fruits, they filled his tummy and boosted his confidence again. Now he started feeling a little drowsy. The unaccustomed exertion had tired him out and now that his tummy was full, he felt that he fully deserved a little rest before proceeding on his explorations. He nestled on a shady branch and started dozing off. 

Suddenly he woke up with a startle. He felt the burning gaze of a pair of bright eyes on him. As he turned, he saw a wild cat, all poised to pounce on him. He just barely managed to escape as the cat caught hold of a few of his feathers. His heart beating wildly, he flew away not knowing in which direction he was headed. After flying a while, the terror he had felt slowly started dissipating. He felt good. Though he had barely escaped with his life, he was happy that he was alive at least. He had managed to escape from a terrible fate that would have befallen him had he been not quick enough to make a move. 

As he flying, suddenly he realised that he was heading towards his home. His home tree was just a few trees away. Little Birdie felt a thrill of delight. The home which he had always wanted to escape from now seemed to be the safest and sweetest place in the world. As he perched on the branch, Mommie came rushing towards him anxiously asking, “Where have you been all this while? I had been feeling so worried about you!!” Little Birdie gave her a loving peck and said, “I just went on a little round. I also missed you Mommie.” 

That night Little Birdie slept a peaceful sleep nestling close to his brother and sister. After all he had savoured all the flavours of freedom.