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A Rebel Story: When is a good time to shoot a bird?By Naw May Oo
We were sitting on the porch outside of our hut. Pre-monsoon sun was spicy hot and we smoked like meat in the sticky warmth of our jungle-leaf roofing. Our place was land-banked on three sides by forest, the River Salween opening on one side. With the forest as our auditorium, the voices of songbirds and insects were amplified. Sometimes sweet, others, confusing. But the noise always pushed us into the silence of our own thoughts. We used to shoot the birds we came across as we walked in the jungle. More often than not, we would do it so thoughtlessly. We would shoot without ever thinking if we had just separated friends, lovers, or families. There were several incidents that remind me of the birds and other animals, our co- inhabitants. These birds are amazing. Once, I was sitting on a ledge looking out over nearby bamboo grove. My eyes focused on a bird. She was resting on the branch of that bamboo groove. She shook a branch harshly, skinning the flowers of their leaves. Afterwards, she picked one—perhaps her favorite—and returned it to her nest. Then repeated the exercise, once and again. Each time, she chose her favorite leaf and returned it to her nest. Each visit governed by thoughtfulness. Preparation. Strategy. There was another time I was sitting near by the bushes. A bird flew by, saw me, and left. She returned—as if confirming my presence—and then left again. Then again. I wished for my .22, she would make a nice meal. Her feathers, a nice trophy. And, at this distance, I couldn’t miss. But I didn’t have a .22 that day, only my curiosity and the luxury of time. So, I explored her retreat—in the nearby bushes, I could hear the noises of more birds. Smaller birds. Baby birds. And there they were, with open mouths and wide eyes, waiting for the mother bird to bring them food, perhaps. What would have happened if I shot their mother? Afterwards, I thought, in the wild, you never know your prey. That bird could be the sole provider for the young flocks. It could be preparing a nest for new eggs. It could be experiencing love with a new partner. When is a good time to shoot a bird? |
