A Bird too weird

Often one must have heard a common phrase saying “As free as a bird”; What if it isn’t applicable in the real life and that also just because of a bird? A bird which is considered as a good omen and often used in emblems such as for instance it is used in an emblem of peace and bird also act as the messenger of peace and rarely it troubles anyone because it flies high in the sky so pure so peaceful. Would anyone not find it strange if this calm and peaceful bird creates a chaos in anyone’s life? What opinion one would have about a person who doesn’t like a bird or in simple words; a person who hates bird? It is instinctual that one would consider that person a stone hearted human being or not capable of being called a human being? So to know more about such person one will have to through the story or a tale of a young barber; Marcus (the protagonist in this story which is of ancient era of Athens, Greece) who was provided with the custody of a beautiful nightingale by his father, Themistockles. His father had a great passion for the birds and had a good knowledge in this field. Let’s go through this ride ……

 “Just like a snowfall which gets showered on everyone whether short or tall, I’m the best among all”; was the song which Marcus always used to hum while doing his work or any activity which he undertook to do. In his words it was the success mantra which he showcased as his motivation or his way of explaining himself and undoubtedly it was clearly manifested as his name was famous in the whole Athens and everyone in the city was aware that he was a dignified barber and offered premium services which was the strength of his goodwill. He had a long queue of customers such that the customers had to take an appointment before coming to him so that they get a chance of being decorated by him. His work made the customers become price insensitive but still he was honest and didn’t use to charge unjustified prices.

Days and years went and Marcus continued to work hard and made huge profits with his name glorified all over the world. After so many years of arduous effort he felt exhausted and needed a vacation to get his life back. He kept his pupil in the shop for handling his work and decided to go to a trip to Gracia Islands (a picnic spot in ancient times which was too far from the city of Athens i.e. at a distance of 25 days from it via water transport). Before leaving he went to Themistockles to bid him a good bye and seek his blessings. Themistockles was spending time in his bird room with an elegant nightingale which was very precious for him as it was gifted by his deceased friend before his last time to take care of it to the fullest. Themistockles blessed him and prayed for his journey to be a very happy one. Marcus headed to the journey but suddenly turned his face to his father and saw tears in his eyes and said “Dad, is there anything which you want to say to your son but you are hesitating? It’s my swear on you to please tell me what it is I would do it if it even costs my life but cannot see these tears in your eyes”; wiping his tears. Themistockles said “My dear son, you are the apple of my eye and I cannot imagine you in any trouble that is why I was hesitating to tell you the reason of my grief. Since you are going to stay in peace and enjoy the heavenly atmosphere to the fullest it would be unfair to you to even utter about it but since I am bounded by swear that you gave me just now I will tell you the reason”; Themistockles sighed.

“So as you already know that this nightingale once belonged to my dearest friend Jesson who is no more in this world. Before leaving it for me he told that “I have a great connection with this bird and this is not only a bird but my treasure and do promise me after my death you will keep it considering it your child without any discrimination among both. With this trust on you I am leaving this world”. And since that day till now I have kept his promise and now this Artemesia (nightingale’s name) is my family. Today you are going to enjoy your vacation but what about this little creature; Artemesia? She is not going anywhere? She also wants to fly, to measure the heights of the sky and to breathe in serenity but just because I know that you don’t like her I didn’t say you anything but it’s my heartfelt wish that Artemesia also goes along with you. Will you take it with you? Say? Listening to this Marcus was taken aback because he didn’t use to like birds since childhood he hated birds just because he didn’t like the sound of the birds and always thought that his father loved birds more than him; hence there was a factor of jealousy in his mind. But just because he promised his father he agreed to this proposal and took the bird to Gracia Island.

Before heading towards a long and a continuous voyage to the island he took all the necessities of the voyage and Artemesia who was beautifully decorated by Themistockles with shimmer golden net and put in a basket full of flowers and petals. Nightingale sang beautifully but it irritated Marcus because he considered it to be noise rather than song. He cursed her for singing and put earplugs in his ear in order to avoid this sound coming into his ears. After travelling a journey of a few miles he heard the noises of a cry and looked here and there but couldn’t find anyone and to his surprise heard his name in a weeping voice. He asked "Who said my name?" A voice came which said “this is me, Artemesia”. With his eyes broadened he peeped into the basket and said “Is it you? I can’t believe this? Did you utter my name?” She said “Yes Marcus”. “But this is not possible as no one can imagine a bird speaking like a human being” he reacted. “What did you find strange in this? I also lived with humans why can’t I speak. Oh I know you have never accepted me because you hate birds. But don’t worry I will not create any hassle for you. It was me who was weeping, but this matter is nothing to trigger your attention to me” said the nightingale.  “Ok, you seem to be intelligent also. Let it be” Marcus said stubbornly.

She again cried but Marcus didn’t pay a heed to it and went on enjoying the weather. But at a certain moment of time he realized the promise he gave to his father and remembered that he had to take care of the bird and till then the voice of cry stopped coming. In a state of panic he gushed towards the the basket and peeped inside it. He noticed the bird lying flat inside the basket and examined it and found that she was about to die. He somehow managed to make her alive but she was not responding properly. He asked for an apology to her but still she was ignoring him. Marcus didn’t know how to take care of birds as he never used to sit with his father when birds were around him. He was very apprehensive of this thought but somehow he gathered all his courage to make himself prepared to do so. Now it was evident that Artemesia would not help him further to help herself.

He gathered nuts to feed her. He arranged a can of milk for her. But she didn’t take anything. He begged pardon again and again to her. And like this days went and Artemesia became weaker and weaker. He was feeling helpless and the hatred for bird grew much more intense inside him. He couldn’t find another way out. And suddenly a cyclone hit the ship and it was in the state of wreck and to the misery everything in it sank and he was struggling with the basket and managed to swim along with it and was lost after travelling such a long distance. He had nothing to eat or drink. “Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink, water water everywhere all the ships would sink”. He found a small boat out of the wreck and climbed onto it with Artemesia. He was dying out of hunger but still tried to gather small insects for the bird before he could have food for himself. He talked with the bird and shared his heart to her. Gradually their friendship became stronger and the mystical bird also started talking to him. He realized that she also needed love. Even though he didn’t know how to take care of the birds but effortlessly he was able to do that as both were living happily in the devastating and ferocious weather with huge storms which appeared to rise enormously and able to hide the moon. The nightingale used to sing gracefully in it’s melodious voice and the previous irritation of Marcus gradually converted into passion. He used to sleep after listening to the song and also woke up by the same. Marcus ate raw flesh of the sea birds and gathered the rain water to drink in order to survive. He had no complains to the almighty as to why his vacation turned into a great darkness where he lost his own way. He had no remorse except of missing his father hoping to meet him one day. Days went like heaven and nights like a bliss. A short fairy tale was going along in the ferocious sea and in the midst of beast like engulfing waves. He was merrily living with Artemesia. Artemesia flew high in the blues and the sight of which was enjoyed by Marcus. He accepted his fate with a grace and thanked almighty lord for making Artemesia accompany him. As life gives joy to someone who joyfully lives it be there any pain or suffering around; hardly matters.

One day a huge cyclone approached towards them and swallowed their boat and left Marcus unconscious. After getting consciousness back he whispered Artemesia’s name and found no one around him. He lamented in grief as to now everything he lost in the wretches of the inhumane giant ocean. He decided to become food for the cannibal sea creatures as there was no reason for him left to live life again. He drowned himself intentionally for this purpose and to his surprise found himself seated in a huge beautiful seep. A beautiful women appeared before him and said “Oh Marcus, how dare you think anything fatal about yourself? So stupid you are to think I can go away from you?”. “I am sorry I couldn’t recognize you” said Marcus in astonishment. “I am Artemesia. How can you forget me this much early?”. “Ma’am Please give me my Artemesia back. She is a nightingale. I can’t live without her.”

“It’s me only Marcus. I was cursed by a sage that I will be a bird till any human being loves me more than himself. I got cursed because I broke the penance of the sage though it was unintentional. Today it’s just because of you I got freed from the curse. I know that you didn’t know how to take care of birds but you still gave selfless affection to me before yourself and that was what which really mattered. Thank you so much dear.” “Oh; my dear Artemesia, you are very special to me because you taught me how to love. And seeing you alive and well is the best reward I can ever get. I just want your company forever. Will you marry me?” Marcus said blissfully. Artemesia looked down and blushed which rendered her response unambiguously.

Then suddenly a thud sound came with which Marcus woke up and found his ship sailing properly and discovered Artemesia in the basket itself as a bird. He now realized that it was a dream which taught him a lesson to love the speechless birds and animals as they also have senses like humans. There is no meaning in hating these creatures. So he kissed her and hugged her happily and took care of her. Now he enjoyed the Gracia Island with his companion merrily. All the childhood despair and hatred with birds got vanished in the calm and lovely breeze. “Live for a cause but don’t love for a cause. Love should be selfless and untainted” he realized.