Monday, November 11, 2013

A bird story.

Photographer: Ri

I am not particularly fond of things that fly, except, of course, broomsticks.

SSM has been talking of getting pet birds for a while and I have always reacted saying, “bring them and in two days you will find them roasted and server for dinner.”

The only pet I would ever like to pet would be a dog and SSM knows that well. So imagine my shock/surprise/anger when he suddenly landed up home yesterday with four budgerigars, a big cage with four budgerigars. Hey, it’s not like we live in a palace! And I do not like birds being caged.

But then, a very weird thing happened. Suddenly, just like that, while sitting in front of the cage watching them I started feeling extremely affectionate towards them. It was bizarre, unexpected.

I started reading up on the internet about caring for budgerigars. And once I was done reading all that I could, I shooed the guys away and took control. Made a swing with some strings and a pencil, broke a few of Ri’s toys to make perches for them, fed them and gave them water.

I also started talking to them, which, by the way, is not a very difficult thing to do. I normally find it extremely easy to have detailed conversations with things non human and, uncannily, with unborn babies.  I avoid doing the later after I realised that not many pregnant women were okay about me stooping down to their bellies and saying, “Boo! Uh-oh, did I scare you?”

So I have been having long conversations with the budgerigars. Whistling and singing to them and keeping Ri away every time he insisted on giving them his toys or tried to sit on their cage. Yes, he is a funny kid. I always wonder where he gets that from.

I spent the entire day in front of the cage. Then came evening and I started fretting about the temperature and them feeling cold. I covered the cage well to keep them warm and sang lullabies to soothe them to sleep. What? Just be glad I did not read bedtime stories to them. Someday I will.

Sleep and I normally get along very well with each other but last night sleep, too, deserted me. I kept waking up to check if the birds were in distress or cold. And then I had a middle of the night realisation - I will keep on being paranoid till these damn birds settle in. Sigh!

One thing though is definite - they are not going to land up on my plate anytime soon.


Ps: Their names are Disco, Jazz, Rock and Salsa

27 comments:

  1. I am sure they will never land on your plate.........

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautifully cute post this is. Pulled a long smile on my face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D They pulled a long smile on my face this morning too.

      Delete
  3. বেশ, এবার পাখিদের জীবনী লেখ বসে

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. লিখতেই পারি। লিখবো কোনো দিন।

      Delete
    2. এই বাংলাটা নিজের লেখা? আমি প্রচণ্ড ইম্প্রেস্‌ড্‌।

      Delete
    3. হ্যা, নিজের লেখা। অনেক ধন্নবাদ।

      Delete
  4. This is like having to take care of another baby all over again ;) Have fun. K wanted a dog after baby A, but we have arrived at a consensus on an aquarium :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, totally. And I realised that when I told them this morning, "bye, Mama will see you in the evening." :|

      Delete
  5. Seriously, I do not like caged birds. I never have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do not like them either. I never have. But I have them now.

      Delete
    2. Seriously, he likes them roasted. Always will. :D

      Delete
    3. :D I am sure about that too.

      Delete
  6. Let me break the news to you: it's time you had another kid.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your ideas and perspective . cherry on the cake is how you accept things seamlessly and manage to put them in beautiful words. rather place the words exactly how you feel at that moment. its real. I know it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We had budgies at Nana's place when we were kids. And some other finch like birds too, remember?

    Budgies, I assure you, are very happy, super-intelligent pets with a terrific cat-like attitude. Once they are familiar with you, you can let them out and they'll fly about the house, hop all over you, snuggle up to you too. Like cats, they love being petted and get their bellies rubbed. Just give them some quality time and make sure your fan is switched off when you let them out. And since I haven't experimented with their homing instincts yet, I'd advise you to keep the windows shut too.
    It's amazing to even just observe their interpersonal dynamics- each with very very distinct personalities. More people ought to watch budgies instead of watching Big Boss. :D
    Have fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D Yes I do remember the budgies at Nana's place.

      And that is so true - More people ought to watch budgies instead of watching Big Boss. :D
      They are settling in good and hopefully in a week or two I should let them move around the house. :D

      Delete
  9. Hmmm...Good read, actually very good read, and am not going to be their Godmother, however impressed I am with your literary skills...you you torturer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aa ha, Mohua, a little bit of chirping should do you good. :D

      Delete
  10. I remember this Simpson episode, where Homer accidentally boils Pinchy - the pet lobster - and subsequently eats it up. Here, food for thought! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsTO57M3KgA :)

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...