A disturbing evening.

Crows Calling
Cover Illustration, Crows Calling magazine

Something I witnessed last evening rendered me disturbed.

Two crows were aggressive to passerbys and even the feral cats. My malay neighbour had to shield herself with an umbrella (my mum thought she looked really comical carrying the umbrella with no sun and no rain) while trying to bring the cat away from the irritated crows. My brother who was heading for his car was also not spared - I think he was almost pecked - this got my mum upset, naturally because her son was "attacked". She wanted me to report the aggressive crows so something could be done. I threw her the unbelievable look and asked her if this was how buddhists should behave and said she could call herself because I will not.

I explained to her the possibility of the birds' behaviour - that they had their nest/offsprings somewhere close and they were displaying natural behavior - like how my mum got upset when my brother was "attacked" - the birds were merely trying to protect their family. Birds and animals are not like human - they do not usually attack for other reasons except to defend and for survival.

Someone apparently did call the authorities and a few men with brooms came and spotted a tree with the crows' nest. I was told (by mum) they removed the nest (I don't know what they did to it). I don't know if this was the best solution in an urban city.

All I felt at that point was sadness. I felt very sorry for the innocent little birds who came to this ugly world. I feel sorry for their parents who tried their best to protect them and still lost them - I believe the birds are capable of grief. I wish there was a better solution.

It was a disturbing evening.