The sky was heavy and gloomy, still unmoving, in the whirlwind of the merciless wind, a small bird fell from the warm nest that was located in the bushy olive tree of a busy street.
Dazed and confused, it suddenly collapsed on the edge of the sidewalk. Still wingless, wrinkled and ugly, it beat its bare wings anxiously on the ground, seeking the warmth of its own nest.
The sight of the bird to the people looking at it was completely indifferent...
But Margarita, a girl with a lot of sensitivity for life, people, animals, and nature, while walking to her work, stopped abruptly upon seeing the dandelion and immediately took it in both her hands.
She tried to warm it with her feathers, wanting to help this bird, and continued searching for its nest.
Her effort was great, but so was her disappointment because it was impossible to find the bird's warm nest.
Time was running out, as she had to make quick decisions about what to do with the tiny, living bird she was struggling with, before some gluttonous cat devoured it. She immediately carefully placed it in the warm pocket of her jacket and, running with all her might, finally arrived at her work, albeit late. She didn't say anything to anyone.
She immediately looked for a small cardboard box, placed it with affection inside and put it in a place where no one could see it. Every now and then she would sneak a peek to see how the little friend who had changed her day was doing. The little bird, although it didn't have the strength to cry, instinctively opened its mouth like a funnel and waited for its own mother to feed it.
But now Margarita, with the sensitivity that possessed her, felt that she had to protect it herself.
Escaping from work, with quick steps, she carried it to her own home. She was thinking about what was best for this creature that had unexpectedly come into her hands, and this thought filled her with so much responsibility and protectiveness.
She immediately opened the freezer, took out some minced meat, defrosted it, and with her fingers formed small pieces like worms for the little bird. She put soft cloths in the box and began feeding it.
The bird flapped its little wings with satisfaction with each bite.
Margarita was happy, smiling and continued talking to him. The bird, now full with a full stomach, fell asleep in the warm corner that Margarita had prepared for him in her room.
He never wanted to put it in a cage. Never.
Soon the bird began to chirp and day by day its body filled with more feathers. Many times it perched in her arms and felt that its own mother was after all... huge.
He started flying freely through all the rooms of the house, but he didn't want to fly outside just yet.
Margarita would put on some music and the bird would immediately climb onto her shoulder. It would sing its own songs too. It looked so happy...
_What do you want, my little cicada? she said to him caressingly, since she didn't know what kind of bird it was. It seemed wild from the mountains, but for the time being it was constantly behind Margarita.
Was Margarita cooking? The bird on her shoulder.
Every now and then he would play with her earrings. He would nibble on her ears, sometimes on the gold chain around her neck, and at night he would perch on thick branches that his stepmother had prepared for him.
However, it didn't look like a sparrow, nor a blackbird, nor a goldfinch. Months passed before he realized that the bird's plumage was similar to that of a female finch!
Many times Margarita wanted to lead her to her own freedom, but she was not yet ready.
She intentionally left the balcony door open in case he left, but for now she insisted on being "stuck" to her "mom."
Everyone laughed at her antics and of course they loved her in the house.
She had become the attraction even for the visitors of the house. Margarita was anxious to see when she would finally spread her wings to fly out of the big nest of the house.
Time passed... One day, while "mom" was away, as the weather began to warm up, the little sparrow, with strengthened wings and a strong desire to meet the world outside the house that had hosted her for so long, flew through the half-open balcony door to the awning of the apartment across the street!
Margarita, returning home, did not see her anywhere. She searched everywhere and, going out onto her balcony, began to speak to her feathered friend in their own language, hoping she would hear her.
At first he didn't see her, but after a while, he started answering Margarita, this time from afar.
The girl's joy was indescribable because another surprise awaited her...
Another finch was now standing next to her female!
That was it! They flew together to unknown places. It was something that Margarita wanted so much and now she saw with pride her adopted little one flying freely with her partner.
What greatness! Margarita's smile is even bigger!
With deep satisfaction in her face, heart, and soul, she recalls the tender moments he gave her during all this time at her home.
Good morning, my winged little friend!
And maybe one spring will suddenly come looking for a safe nest, for its own little birds on the balcony of love, that of... Margarita!
photo alandsmann, https://pixabay.com
