Usha’s room had a small balcony that served as a small storeroom for her toys. Her mother always made sure that the toys were kept in the small cupboard and the doors completely shut tight, as pigeons could sneak inside and nest there. Plus, the feathers and pigeon’s waste spread all over the place always annoyed Mum.

Mum wanted to seal the balcony, but the birds’ nests come in the way, it was inside the air conditioner’s outdoor unit and had to be discarded fully. Mum had once called some labourers to clear away the nest, but they reported that the nest hosted eggs and baby pigeons. Mum left the nest for a while, since she did not want the babies to die.

After some months, Usha found out that Mum had started keeping water and grains in the balcony. Usha wondered that if Mum kept catering to the pigeons’ needs, why would they ever leave the place? When she inquired about this, Mum asked her to wake up early in the morning to get the answer.

Next day, around 6am, Mum woke up Usha. She, too, was excited to get the answer. Together they went towards the window that opened in the balcony. Mum quietly moved the curtains so that they could peep in the balcony. It was still dark so Usha wanted to turn on the light, but Mum stopped her.

Suddenly they heard some movement in the air conditioner’s outer unit. The sound of flipping of feathers! Usha wasn’t sure what it was all about.

Then her mother pointed towards something that hopped on the floor and was making its way towards water and grains placed near the clay pots.

“What is it?” Usha murmured.

Mum signalled her to remain silent. Nothing was clearly visible. The little thing that hopped went towards the grains and water, and then stayed there for a while. It seemed to be very hungry.

As the sun rose a bit and the light spread, a whole flock of pigeons appeared from somewhere. Seeing them approaching, the little thing moved away from the corner where it was eating. To Usha’s astonishment, it was a pigeon with one leg! It somehow balanced itself and tried to fly up to the air conditioner’s outer unit. In this quest, it fell a few times, but eventually flew up and hid itself in the nest.

Mum then looked at Usha and told her that she had started keeping the grains and water for that pigeon as it was found limping one day and looked quiet hungry and thirsty. She also shared her observation with Usha that when the healthy birds were around, this poor being would not try to have anything in their presence. It was only in the dark that it appeared and got the chance to feed.

Usha felt sad for the pigeon. Her mother amazed her further by telling that the limping pigeon had actually been an inspiration for her as it helped her when she was badly hurt and could hardly stand to do her chores. This little thing had practically shown her how to stand in such a difficult time and keep life moving smoothly.

She shared with Usha that upon seeing the pigeon’s ordeal, she had learnt that temporary pain or wound is nothing but a short bad patch in one’s life. The real deal is a permanent loss that has to be dealt with courage, strength and dignity!

Dear children, we all have rough patches in our lives but we should always keep ourselves moving. If you could not do well in the mid-year examinations, or are going through any other problem, don’t lose hope… gather yourself, learn from your shortcomings and work hard. You will surely find a way to get over your bad patch and shine bright!

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 5th, 2022