We were brimming with enthusiasm as we participated in the mass clapping and clanking of thalis to applaud the doctors, paramedics, cleaning and security staff who have been working day and night to protect their fellow citizens from the epidemic of coronavirus. It was an unbelievable solidarity shown by the people.
Nevertheless, the loud sound was of such a high decibel, creating vibrations that animals and birds went hither and thither in panic. As I entered my kitchen to make tea I was surprised to hear a sharp chirping sound. I caught a glimpse of two sparrows perched on the glass window of the kitchen. Indeed, they were in a fearful state, as they did not fly out even as they saw me enter the kitchen. I stealthily drew out of the kitchen and peeped from behind the door to watch the wonderful pair of sparrows pondering over the situation. I tried to guess as to what they would be discussing with each other.
The poor little sparrows were left dazing as to what was going on. Probably, one of them chirped, “O dear! Can you guess why the humans are making this noise?”. The other sparrow answered, “Friend, I feel they are also afraid of something like us, that is why they have united to show their solidarity”. “You are right my friend”, said the other one. Her friend replied, “Yes, I have come to know that a deadly disease spread by the coronavirus has gripped the entire humanity. The other sparrow queried, “But how has the virus erupted all of a sudden?”. The friend replied, “This virus is commonly present in some of our animal brethren who live in the jungles. And probably the humans have caught the virus from them. “Oh god! How did the humans come in contact with these wild brethren of ours?”. The other sparrow said, “As we have been thrown out of our homes and have to dwell in the leftover greenery on the periphery of the cities due to the large scale cutting of trees, so is the case with these wild animals. The vehement depletion of jungles has driven them away from their habitat and brought them closer to the humans”. The second sparrow chirped, “Now I can guess, these humans must have killed these wild animals for their exotic cuisines or to display their skin or teeth or horns”. “Exactly!”, the other reasserted. “This has how the deadly virus has been transmitted from our wild brethren to the humans”. Both of them sighed. “Oh why are the humans adamant to destroy nature. If nature is not protected, then I don’t know what will happen to all our species, including theirs’? Mother earth belongs to all. But it is only these humans that cause harm to our dear mother and as a result all of us fall prey to their wrong doings. Oh Almighty! Why at all did you give brains to the humans?”.
I quietly entered the kitchen and kept the earthen pot with rice that I keep in my balcony for the birds. But they refused my hospitality and flew away. This was a small indication by the smallest and sweetest of the birds of nature that we must respect animals and birds who are also our kith and kin as we all are children of one and only, Mother Nature. I wish we can take their message in order to continue to hear their melodious chirping around us.
Resonance 