As often it seems to happen these days, I have a story to tell.
Since last night Coffee Cat has been quite restless. Quite a handful in fact. This morning she caught a bird. Her gift was presented in a most formal manner. This is the first time it has happened. As she lay it down at my feet, it flew up. She jumped and retrieved it with an acrobatic leap in an outstretched claw. Grabbing a dish cloth I hastily took her proud offering with rough dissatisfaction.
A female sparrow. Now bleeding heavily from its head. What to do, I stepped out on the patio, looking towards the garden. Do I plant it along with the trio of owls from just a few weeks ago? Is my rose and jasmine garden going to turn into an avian graveyard which will require a long term expansion plan?
Looking closer at my hands, I notice her chest is rising and falling rapidly. She was not dead after all. I quickly go back inside and place her gently on my desk. She is lying on her back. Tiny feet are pulled closely to her chest. Her eyes closed and half her head is covered in blood. I pick up a flute and play a short tune. Don’t be silly I think, quickly putting it away.
I am reminded of a friend writing recently about holding a dying creature close. For warmth. Giving comfort in its last minutes. I pick her up. Looking at her, I hold her close. Her feathers not as bright as her male counterpart. She is quite beautiful.
My time is running short. I am on a schedule. Nonetheless, I step back outside. Committing to sharing a little of my time. I look across at the Jacaranda tree, the other birds singing and playing in the cool morning sun. It has been raining. I am startled as she flutters in my hands. She turns upright and promptly flies off. Across the yard and towards the fence. She settles in an olive tree. Suddenly all seems OK.
I smile. My heart fills with a little joy on this day. I turn and pick up my bag. I lock the door and as I leave, glance across towards the olive tree. It is full of singing birds. And sparrows.
I arrive at my appointment in court on time. An order is granted a few hours later. The time noted as 12:08.