In Appreciation…….. of the simple pleasures of life…

Zeena Singh For Eastern Mirror Sunday

Hello folks,

I believe that life has so much to give if only we cared to give a little thought to the most minuscule of joys (which we’d find so much of) only if we’d stop looking at the looming discomforts and discontents.
So here I am, to share with you the simplest joys in my life as I have experienced some time in my life and those that I take as I face each day, at a time.

Considered filthy for their usually dirty scavenging habits, perhaps not even glanced at, owing to their lacklustre appearance or because their colour symbolises death and mourning? or possibly a bad omen of sorts? That is how our feathered friend, the Crow is often looked upon.
It has, however, been quoted that Crows are now considered to be among the world’s most intelligent animals with an EQ ( as in : Encephalization Quotient) approaching that of some apes. Several points of their intelligence as a group and even by species have been written about after intensive study and experiments.
It appears that Crows have six ways which prove them to be much smarter than we may think. They can remember faces; Conspire with one another; Have good memory; Can use tools; Can plan; and Have an adaptive behaviour.
This bird has been associated with life mysteries and magic. Throughout history, the crow has been linked with both the positive and negative symbolic meanings. Out of the numerous, I choose to write about their being Intelligent, having flexibility and adaptability and being manipulative and mischievous because I have personally encountered occurrences of these; and without a trace of hesitation, I must declare my appreciation and admiration of them.
The only view to the world outside was from the one window behind my chair in the office. Privileged indeed was I to have such a panoramic one because overlooking the window was a flourishing plot of land most lush, fertile and green. Amidst its luxuriant blossoming was a pond too where many a water bird found a rich spoil of fish. So, here stood this thriving abundance of green where I’d always found tranquil solace within this jungle of concrete. This unflustered world outside my window brought into being my admiration for the subject of our scrutiny.
My admiration started out on a curious observation of a crow couple who I had chanced upon on one of my searches for a balm for ruffled nerves, outside my window. It may have been just about around the month of February and March that I noticed this, our bird, and partner, begin charting a home-building undertaking. Material of the strongest possible kind was put to use to start the main base of the nest. (Corporates and other Organisations could well gain Team work tips by observing these two ‘bird brains’). While one flew in, transporting material goods, the other used its skill at site location. To my utter amazement one day, I found the nest not where it had started out. The foundation lining had almost been laid completely but be that as it may have, positioning of the nest was fundamental and given ultimate importance so much so that it was now re-located to another ( apparently) much stronger better situated branch
Their precision in such architectural skill couldn’t miss my layman’s eye when several weeks later as the season changed with exceedingly strong winds bringing in April showers, quite at the same time when Mr and Mrs Crow had one or two of their little baby crows tucked in the- now- firmly- placed- ready- nest.
It was a challenge to be witnessed, this tussle, between the incredibly stormy gale and an exceptionally protective parent.
The wind blew its strongest, swaying and bending every bough and branch the tree possessed, till you could hear each screeching wooden creak. With wings expanded the crow parent spread himself across the nest, glued in position rocking and swaying, clinging with every talon strained. Minutes ticked by, each contender fought on. My feeble heart was afraid and couldn’t look further. Ultimately, the wind grew weaker and had to stop, and I cheered for the crow who had won my highest regard.
Going into raptures over what I personally have seen in this friend of Aesop’s I unreservedly continue to ramble on as irresistibly as it comes, wishing that you would find a moment’s glee in my simple pleasure.
A roadside tea stall had, I would expect, his regular stream of customers. I wasn’t one of them. No, I was just a passer- by who was blessed with time enough, at a traffic signal to have come face to face with what a photographer of National Geographic would have loved to capture.
The tea stall owner had another customer; a special one who was waiting for a bite. He got his bite alright, but his bite was too large and unbreakable. It was a tough cookie, this biscuit. Too tough for our tea- stall- visiting- Crow to crack into. In seconds this quick-thinking bird, dragged the difficult biscuit and dunked it into the drain nearby and to my utter astonishment, tried whacking the drain-dunked cookie on the ground. It repeated this maybe twice or three times over, I’m not sure. Regrettably I wasn’t there to witness that victory but that cookie was sure to have eventually crumbled at the smart determined attempt of our bright friend.
I refrain myself from recounting further anecdotes to re-iterate what I had started out to convey. In all certainty you will find many a tale told by those who may have come into a one-on-one-contact with one such Intelligent, flexible creature with adaptability and manipulative mischievousness.
Contented with my favourable opportune of having beheld and perceived another of God’s amazing works, though scorned and despised; I will always marvel at and hold in high esteem – this incredulity of a bird brain.
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