Crows against the backdrop of the setting sun
Whenever your mind is tired of the din and polluted city air and on the lookout for some quiet breath of fresh air to rejuvenate the frayed nerves, the countryside comes to the rescue. Such sojourns are no ordinary experiences; they rather turn into unforgettable occurrences. Even after a long passage of time, upon being recalled, they bring a smile on your face.
My husband and I sometimes resort to this sort of break, to revel in the pristine allure of nature. The tranquility that reigns supreme in the green, silent surroundings can leave any onlooker speechless. The poplar plantations dotting the place make for a panoramic view. Then the flower-laden lilac tree beckons with its exquisite scent, reminding me of the book ‘Lilacs in Bloom’, studied during graduation. The only sounds to break the soothing silence there are those of birds chirping or crowing. And these musical interludes are a treat to a tired mind.
While on such an excursion, invariably we take tea for ourselves and some cookies, especially for the birds, crows being prominent among them. I turn them into small bits and scatter over a vacant place nearby. Quite a few crows and some other birds enjoy this spread as they merrily chirp before flying away. I own, it’s on account of these feathered friends’ participation that such outings acquire an inimitable colour for me.
Last month, when we went on such a jaunt, it became particularly memorable. When we reached the place and sat under the shade of the dense lilac tree, we started having tea and cookies directly. The four or five crows that had been sitting quietly on the tree, started cawing and soon their voices grew louder. It was surprising but then it dawned upon me that I had not given them their share of cookies. As soon as I took out biscuits to spread for them, the crows landed and sat just a little away from me, staring quietly.
When I was done, the winged guests called out to their friends from other trees in the vicinity. I counted nearly 20 crows in addition to a few other birds. So it turned out to be a nice little gathering of the feathered brigade. They enjoyed the repast with a little gossip thrown in and an impeccable behaviour on display. While they were parting, I could hear a few crows cawing, telling me, “We worry about your wellbeing, you can count on us.”
The solace that this assurance provided me is beyond words. I reciprocated, “Even I try to live in such a way as may show that I care for all of you.”
By now the setting sun had created such a fusion of grey and shades of orange against the azure sky! The picturesque setting reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem, ‘Stopping by woods on a snowy evening’. Even we did not feel like leaving the place but can one ever get away from one’s obligations?
AS SOON AS I TOOK OUT BISCUITS TO SPREAD FOR THEM, THE CROWS LANDED AND SAT JUST A LITTLE AWAY, STARING QUIETLY. WHEN I WAS DONE, THE WINGED GUESTS CALLED OUT TO THEIR FRIENDS FROM OTHER TREES IN THE VICINITY