A bunch of little sparrows in my balcony have taught me a lot about life, about nature, about love. I have watched with great interest this couple of sparrows make and set up their little home. It was indeed amazing to watch them carry straws, twigs, and strands of hay and grass for their nest. Their tiny beaks could carry just a small bit and this resulted in God-knows-how-many trips throughout the day. Every day till their nest was made. But they did it with great care and effort!! When I later peeked into the nest, I was spellbound to see how much material they had gathered to make a soft bed for their young ones. Sometimes the two of them just sat on the balcony sill, as if in deep discussion.
Then,when apparently the eggs had been laid (the nest was at a height, so I had to really climb up on a stool to get a glimpse of the interiors) the sparrows kept a close vigil. They were constantly hovering around the nest and continued to bring a twig or two. But they perhaps got used to our presence . If we happened to go to the balcony when they were around, they just shifted themselves a bit, as if to make way for us. They looked quite secure around us and made no attempts to fly away.
Finally, when the eggs hatched, we could hear them chirp from early morning to evening. and their parents were REALLLY BUSY. They made innumerable, unending, trips to get food for their lil' ones. They got whatever they could pick with their tiny beaks and went back and forth in a jiffy. I wonder where these tiny birds get all the energy from.... such efforts, so much love, so much caring...I put some crumbs of food for them on the balcony sill to make their task easier. Guess what? Everyday, at regular intervals, they sat at that spot and created a ruckus till we put some food there....I never knew sparrows are so intelligent/ sensitive..but this did not stop their trips for food ...they were at it the whole day..... and guarded the nest very fiercely....
In spite of all this love, care and affection they show for their young ones, once the baby sparrows are old enough to fly, their parents don't look back or hover around them or control them or show any concern...but I have seen entire groups of sparrows gather to maybe show solidarity, if a sparrow is hurt or dies.
Maybe this is a perfect example of Detachment. Of how we should live. They truly show genuine love and care as long as their loved ones need it,.( And they don't even expect anything in return).. then there is no bondage.. no holding back perhaps, but being there when they need support. How beautiful.
The sparrows I was watching also had to deal with a dead baby sparrow. They then discarded their old nest, and set out to make a new one...with the same enthusiasm and vigour!!...and started their family again.
This story of the sparrows showed me how life has to carry on with the same spirit even after one is struck by sorrows.
Nature indeed is very beautiful and the best teacher.
-Rajalakshmi
