Finding beauty in the mundane, in the small details, allows most of us to experience simple joys. In my case, encountering nature in my more-or-less urban setting brings me delight. From the majestic celestial display, no matter the time of day or night, to the budding promise of flower or fruit, to the sudden appearance of toadstools, to the flash of color from birds flapping their way from one point to another… I can think of so many more examples of blessings from nature that bring me joy.
I have my favorites, though, and if you’ve read past posts, you know that crows are pretty high up in the list. That’s why I want to share this little anecdote that will probably make your heart feel a little lighter.
A Crow to the Rescue
Here’s another wonderful anecdote about a smart crow.
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I taught at a school in the middle of the jungle. There were understandably plenty of birds, but none were as ubiquitous as the crows.
Still, they didn’t cause trouble. They simply minded their own business. That is, until they felt their involvement was necessary, like that time I was the schoolyard monitor.
Things were going swimmingly, but there was a group of first-graders who had invented a game that involved tossing a stuffie up in the air and then running to catch it. I kept a closer eye on them since they were running pell-mell while looking up at the sky.
Unfortunately, somebody threw the stuffie too hard and it got caught in the branches of a tree. To get it back, somebody took off her shoe and threw it at the toy. Her pitch went wide, and the tree almost claimed her shoe as well.
The other kids, however, thought this was a good idea. I had to step in lest they should hit somebody or go home shoeless.
I was just about to tell them to call a custodian when the crow that had curiously been watching the kids’ antics from another tree flew over to the stuffie and started pecking at it.
The kids watched, intrigued. Was the crow helping or trying to eat their toy? They got their answer when the stuffie fell from the branch.
They shrieked in delight and scrambled to catch the toy. Its good deed done, the crow returned to its original roost.
Remembering their manners, the kids cried, “Thank you, bird!”
They completely forgot their game and ran off to tell anyone who’d listen how the crow saved the day. I’ve been doing the same for the last twenty years. That crow was a hero.
Hi! I’m Ivy. I’ve been wanting a crow best friend for a while now. I also write anecdotes and articles about a varied range of interests and concerns. You can find more of my musings at This Small Life.
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