Infinite waiting to be explored and enjoyed

“T he aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware; joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware,” says American novelist Henry Miller.

A few days ago, while sitting in my room and reading, I noticed two small birds perched on the clothes line in the balcony. I had never seen birds this size before and was mesmerised by their antics and frolics. Sitting straight and hanging upside by their feet, they were pure joy and grace. Suddenly, they flew away as though they sensed someone intruding into their space.

After a couple of days, they returned, and then again and again. One day, their activity intensified. My husband, who had by then also got drawn into enjoying the company of our morning companions, said, “I think they are going to build a nest.” They did start bringing in bits of twigs and threads in their beaks and in about a few hours had four inches hanging already. Fascinating! Their abode was going to be the kind we see hanging from trees.

Those few hours every day I was totally absorbed in their activity, sharing their excitement, their camaraderie, their joy apparent in the flapping of their wings. I felt they also had a life full of feelings, community living and purpose. Another experience indelibly etched in my memory is when we were in the US. We saw many deer around where we live and I couldn’t help but exclaim in delight when I spotted them, usually three or four together. One day as we were returning from our walk, we saw a big herd of deer in the not so far off edge of the forest, looking yearningly at the road.

Their wait and pathos could almost be felt. Quizzing between us the reason for it we continued walking, and then we came upon a deer lying motionless on the road, evidently hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road.

The whole herd stood there till darkness fell, the pain of losing one of their own so stark and poignant that one could feel it to the core. I kept going back to where I could see them, they were still waiting. My heart ached.

We realise that animals have feelings, as we hear of so many narratives from people who have pets and interact closely with animals. Canines especially seem to express with their eyes besides the bark and growl. “An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

The birds and now we know that plants as well have feelings and respond to emotions. As John Muir the ScottishAmerican naturalist and author wrote, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.” There is an infinity out there waiting to be enjoyed as we explore gradually, tiny steps, small but ever so profound.

I WAS ABSORBED IN THEIR ACTIVITY, SHARING THEIR EXCITEMENT, THEIR CAMARADERIE, THEIR JOY APPARENT IN THE FLAPPING OF THEIR WINGS. I FELT THEY ALSO HAD A LIFE FULL OF FEELINGS