There are a variety of birds around our farm in Wayanad, each one unique and beautiful in its own way. At the break of dawn, they begin chirping, signalling the start of a brand-new day — perhaps reminding each other of the various tasks ahead. Whatever happened the day before seems forgotten, as they always sound happy and cheerful every morning!

It’s as if they don’t face any hardship at all. Watching them flit from branch to branch, chase each other, or soar high while surveying the beauty below, one can’t help but associate birds with freedom and happiness — free from everything that we humans are bogged down with.

A well-meaning friend once asked us, “What else do you guys do other than tending your garden? You don’t have a television at home, there are no theatres nearby, or malls to visit. Don’t you get bored sometimes?”

In jest — or maybe to dig that in further — my Drama Queen, alias Sugar Pumpkin, replied, “No, no, no! We do go out once a month… to the ration shop!”

In reality, there is so much happening around us right here in Dotty’s Garden that there’s no time to feel bored.

The other day, while walking down our leaf-strewn garden path, something suddenly flew near my face — almost into my eyes. I instinctively brought up my hands to shield myself. It seemed as though this small flying creature was trying to attack me with repeated forays. Soon enough, I realised it was a tiny bird screeching and darting at me, then flying away, as if trying to grab my attention. Then I spotted its mate some distance away, also screeching and frantically circling around a mango tree.

As I stood there trying to figure out what was happening, I noticed a snake slowly but surely gliding up the mango tree toward a fork in the branch where the birds had their nest.

Normally, I don’t go anywhere near snakes. But this was not a normal situation — a tiny bird was asking me to help save its precious eggs! By this time, the snake was within a few centimetres of the nest. With both parents now furiously frantic, I went near the mango tree and, with the aid of a stick, dislodged the snake before tossing it across the nearby stream.

Immediate calm ensued.

From what we have seen and experienced, the incidents involving the birds in our garden don’t always have such happy endings. Nevertheless, suffice it to say that the lives they live and the struggles these lovely birds endure are not much different from our own.

Yet they always wake up every morning singing!

By way of thanks, the Black-naped Monarch allowed me to take this close-up.

Philip Peter