Flock attack!

The little girl’s parents were shocked to see their home rapidly turning into an aviary! Here sat a white-cheeked barbet, there a parrot and several green bee-eaters

Evening was upon Heritage Park and all the birds were preparing for a good night’s sleep. At the western gates, the white-browed wagtail was busy finishing his meal, when the sound of loud conversation reached him. It was coming from the adjoining fast-food joint, and the topic of discussion was the park itself. Curious, Wagtail abandoned his meal and perched atop a tree that overhung the eatery to listen in more closely. There were three men and two women, and to his shock, they were finalising plans to tear down the park to make way for a multi-storeyed mall. They dispersed after deciding to meet over lunch the next day.

Gloomily, Wagtail returned to the park. “I must share this piece of news with Roller,” he thought aloud. “She is the oldest and wisest of us all and will know how to deal with this threat.”

The Indian Roller listened to Wagtail’s story with deep concentration. The next morning she summoned all the birds of the park for a meeting. Soon, close to a hundred birds gathered in and around a clump of shrubbery. Roller narrated Wagtail’s story right down to the tiniest detail.

 The birds twittered in anguish. “It is true that our beautiful haven is in danger,” said Roller solemnly. “Our fledglings are in danger of becoming homeless. But there is no problem in this world without a sensible solution.”

 “But we’re so small and have never flown beyond the boundaries of this park,” cried the purple-rumped sunbird.

“How can we save ourselves? Do you have a plan in mind, Roller?” cried the yellow-billed babbler.

“Yes, Babbler, I do,” replied Roller. “Now, this is what I propose we do.”
Roller described her plan and the birds chirped happily. They seemed confident of saving their families as well as the park. At noon, the birds flocked to the western gates. A while later, Wagtail saw the group of people arrive within minutes of each other and seat themselves at a table underneath a tree. This time, however, there was also a 12-year-old girl with them.

Wagtail flew to the table and hopped around it to point them out to the rest. After lunch, the group began to disperse. A man, a woman, and the girl got into a red SUV, the rest clambered into a blue car. Roller left her perch and sat atop the SUV. Wagtail joined her. The SUV rolled forward.

That afternoon as the city folk went about their daily work, a big flock of small birds swooped through the air intently tailing an enormous SUV. Passers-by looked at this strange sight in awe. The little girl too tried to get her parents’ attention, but they were deep in conversation.

The SUV finally glided through the gates of a big house. The birds scattered into hiding. The family exited the vehicle and stepped into the house. Instantly, the birds flew in through the open doors. The little girl’s parents were shocked to see their home rapidly turning into an aviary! Spotted doves, orioles, bulbuls, and scores of other twittering birds filled every inch of floor-space.

“Where did these birds come from?” spoke the woman finally.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you Ma,” said the little girl, Ananya. “They’ve been following us all the way from Heritage Park!”

“Whoever heard of a flock of birds roosting inside a house? Shoo!” shouted Ananya’s father. But the birds did not leave. The harder he tried to get rid of them, the messier they became. They pecked at food on the kitchen counter and twittered happily.

“I’m calling pest control,” fumed Ananya’s father.
“Dad, these birds belong to Heritage Park and are trying to tell us something,” said Ananya. “I think they plan to live here because their own homes will be destroyed once the mall comes up.”

Ananya’s parents looked at her. Could their daughter be right? They knew birds were intelligent. But were they capable of tailing a car and moving into a house to save themselves?

Ananya hugged her mother tight. “Ma, Daddy, please leave the park alone. There are enough malls in the city but very few parks. Besides, parks that house such beautiful birds are rarer still.”

“If you are right, Ananya, then this call should help me get rid of these creatures,” the little girl’s father said. He dialled a number on his mobile phone and spoke to someone at the other end. “It’s about the mall,” he said. “I’ve decided not to uproot a park that’s been around for years. Do you know that dilapidated building close to the Lion’s Head Statue? I think that site would be perfect. Please get the necessary paperwork done.”

The birds merrily flew out of the house. Their homes were safe and so was the park.