PIGEONS AND THE CROW

TODAY as I sat on a bench to have my lunch a couple of pigeons flew towards me. They waited on the flagged paving stones for some scraps of bread. A party of pigeons sometimes sends a one legged or frail looking bird first in order to gain your sympathy. It actually hops on one leg in front of you, back and forth, then sits down miserably and stares at you. Who said pigeons were stupid? You are almost compelled to share a part of your food, unless you’re a greedy son-of-a-gun, and there are lots of them in the world as it is. As soon as you throw the bread, all the others rush down from the trees and the tall building ledges and finish the food. There’s a flurry of activity, flapping of wings, throwing up the pieces of bread with their beaks; the stronger one’s fighting off the weaker; yet in the frenzy they all manage to eat something.

I threw the bread towards the pigeons and the birds broke the bread in three pieces, then another ten or so birds gathered. As they were about to eat however, a crow swooped down and scattered the pigeons.

It was a very rude interruption.

The crow was a strong and very sinister looking bird, black eyes and beak. It started to peck at the bread; every time the pigeons tried to get near the bread the crow drove them back. I watched nature’s play. What would happen now? Would the poor pigeons get anything to eat?

The greedy and strong crow pecked at the bread whilst the pigeons strutted glumly in a circle. It surprised me that the crow was unwilling to part with any of the bread. It just wouldn’t let any of the pigeons eat. It all seemed so unfair and yet I decided to see what would happen without my intervention.

No sooner had I thought this, when from my right an old man appeared; his face furious at the situation in front of him, i.e. a single crow hoarding all the food. The timing of his arrival surprised me as well.

He moved towards the crow with his walking stick and forced it to flee; the crow even dropped the piece of bread in its mouth as it fled in a panic. Then the old fella stood guard whilst the pigeons started to eat in peace.

HEREIN I reflected lay several lessons.

1- If you’re struggling with difficulties and injustice and it appears that you cannot win or carry on; keep a little faith, keep fighting and be patient. Help will arrive. The higher powers will not tolerate injustice, they will send help in one form or another.

2- If you are blessed with power and wealth, then learn to share; otherwise it will be taken away from you. An old man will drive you away with his stick.