Of Feathers Flights And Futures

     

What a wonderful sight! Migratory birds are descending over the Ana Sagar Lake. These migratory creatures travel across the globe along the flyways. They are an annual attraction for the birders and the non-birders. The majestic beauty of these birds gliding on the water's surface, their winged formations, and synchronized flights continue to mesmerize us year after year.

As we walked along the circular pathway, we could see people tossing wheat puffs high up in the air, and these birds swooping down to catch the feed. A few even kept it on their palms while the birds made a sweep for it. These birds dared to fly over the walkway in numbers, performing acrobatics to indulge us right above our heads.

As I spoke to my younger son, who had been working from home since the COVID lockdown, I found out that he had intended to visit Goa with his friends and work from there. A few of his friends had migrated to beautiful destinations far away from their homes for similar purposes. Mentally, I continued to draw an analogy with this avian migration.

Like these birds, even our young ones stay in our safe havens, perfecting their physiology. Soon, it is time for them to seek higher education or to leave in pursuit of a job. Flapping their wings, they set out to soar higher to the distant lands, inhabit new places, take on new challenges, and even have new experiences.

Irrespective of their size and color, birds have continued to represent life even in the oldest part of literature, whether it is a Dove with an olive leaf as a symbol of peace, an Eagle for its sharp eyes, a Falcon for its power, a Peacock for its pride, or a Swan for its grace. It is all a matter of destiny.