The Birds

Grandma Stella recounts a recent storm’s aftermath and her encounter with a trapped bird on her porch. She reflects on how her attempts to help initially agitated the bird, but it eventually found its own way out when she gave it space.

A couple of nights ago, we had a terrific rain and wind storm. In the back of the garden some branches broke off the trees. On the porch one screen completely tore off its frame and the other completely flew out, frame and all. I set it aside to be mended. This afternoon, after doing my chores, I thought to sit there and read my book. In my garden there are two birds that cheerfully whistle at each other all the time. Today, as I entered the porch, I saw a little bird frantically flapping his wings, trying to get out. I tried to show him how to get out, but the harder I tried, the more anxious he became. I could almost hear his poor heart thumping and threatening to burst out of his chest. At that point I realized that I was agitating him, so I sat down. Once I did that, he calmed down and found his own way out.At this moment, the two of them are once more happily whistling at each other.