“Chirp! Chirp chirp… Chirp.” Flock of easily-seen sparrows are busy chirping and tidying up their own feathers, each firmly gripping on the branches of the flower-booming plant.
I sit at the table near to this little garden that stood at the middle of the hawker centre, in the neighbourhood I stay. Filter away the conversation voices that come from the diners at tables next to mine, and focusing on the chirping birds instead.
Strong chirping sounds and active ‘chatting’ with each other (i.e. the sparrows) is in action. They fly down to the soil ground picking up some stuff with their bill. And then flying in group from this tree to that tree. Busy yet happy troop, I would say.
After finishing my coffee and lunch, it’s almost 1pm. I slowly strolling along the shops, have a little window shopping, while heading my way home. Looking at the range of products the flea-marketers have and this is the best way for me to catch up with the latest trend in product designs.
The grocery shop at the corner, the owner is known for his hobby of having bird as pet. A beautify sound let out from his favourite pet, a silky black bird with long tail in blue. I’m not sure what species this bird belongs to. It is in a huge rattan-made bird cage, performing its ‘singing’ talent from that high-up stage it currently at. The owner hangs the bird cage high-up, right below the outdoor ceiling.
Every passer-by can hear his pet’s performance. Amazing bird!
I continue my walking path after watching that singing bird for a few seconds. There are another two bird cages caught my attention. They were placed on a table at the corridor of an electrical shop. This shop is just three shop lots aways from the grocery shop.
Let’s see what birds this shop owner keeps. One in green feather, the love bird (if I remember it correctly, this is what it’s called). But, the love bird is not in pair. Only one bird in the cage. The other cage has another species of bird which I have no idea what bird this is.
Both cages are rather small as compared to the ‘singing’ bird I saw just now. This unknown-species bird… Its tail’s feathers are not in good shape and condition, like withered leaves, a little broken here and there.
When it sees me, it immediately flies towards to this side of the cage that is closer to me. This phenomenon is commonly seen when I approached the fish pond previously. Those animals, i.e. fishes and birds, that have been getting used to being fed by humans, will flock closer to the human without second thoughts, just for food.
“Easy, easy… birdie. Take it easy!” It flies too quick and one tiny feather to fall off from its body and drops outside of the cage, lays on the table. I can’t really use the word ‘fly’ for its current situation. It can’t even spread its wings properly, merely using its claws to cling onto the rattan wall of the cage.
(I see… That’s how its feather gets damaged. Each time it tries to spread its wing, its wings get stuck in between the rattan wall and directly damage its feathered wings and tail. The world it is in… is too small…) I observe and analyse this, in my mind.
(Poor thing…) comes across my mind.
(If one day, the cage somehow left open, with that tiny doorway unlocked… can you still fly?)
(Do you even still remember how to fly?)
(Will you be able to adapt to the outside world where you would have to search for your own food then?)
Questions pop up one after another in me. I feel heavy… I turn my head and march home.
They are from the same species – birds. Yet, each having different life under different care treatment from their respective owners. I often heard locals saying that we are all humans, but some were born rich, having relaxing life while others have to struggle to earn a living. And now this quote also applies to birds…
Last week, when I was on my way to take public bus, there was a Lost Pet’s memo sticked on the white board at the bus stop. I walked closer to have a look at it. It was about a lost parrot. The owner printed this memo and sticked it, literally, on signboard at the roadside, on the garden entrance and now the bus stop whiteboard. A little too much as this kind of act will trigger penalty from government authority.
So, the memo urged the public whoever has seen it flying to the window of their house, please help to keep it and contact the owner directly. A series of phone number follows.
It’s a bird that we are talking about, not dog or cat, that is walking the floor. The chances to trace a flying being is not that easy. This memo keeps lingering in my head for that whole day.
The next day, I wrote a small memo and sticked it onto that memo that is still on the whiteboard at the bus stop.
“If your pet is now flying freely with its gang, in the open air, wish it luck. It is time for it to be freed. Learn to let go.” I wrote.
Sticked it on and I headed to office as usual. On my way back from office, I’d take a look at my little memo if anyone tear it off or write something on it.
Few days passed. Nothing happens. On the weekend, when I went out for evening walk, I passed by that same bus stop. I saw some scribble hand-writing on my little memo.
“Itchy people”
“Inconsiderable at all”
(Hmm…) a few question marks appear in my mind. (Inconsiderable? In what way? What it refers to?) I have no clue. Well, the “itchy people” I can get it. Locals tend to call those who sticks their nose on other people’s business as “busy body”. So the “itchy people” carries the same meaning here. Yes, my act literally is kind of “busy body” but I don’t regret it.
I continued my evening walk, with the unknown meaning of “inconsiderable” in my mind. I won’t have the answer, anyway.
Two days after that, the memos were teared down, both the Lost Pet memo and my little memo. Must have been found out by the authority or the government appointed cleaner had done the job.
To my opinion, if one can’t afford to provide a better environment to their pet(s), how about letting go the idea of keeping them? Seeing them flying freely in the garden or being raised by other pet owner who can provide them with better life and care, wouldn’t that bring more joy to both the pets and the viewers?
The image of that “withered leaves-looked” bird that’s being locked in that little cage, flashes in my mind. I wish that you could be freed one day.
Best of luck!