Creativity in Crisis? is an anthology of short stories capturing the authentic experiences of 26 British Indian key workers, parents and educators through the coronavirus lockdown. Here is the third in a series from an avid birdwatcher.
Are the birds watching me or am I watching them? I ponder, with a cup of chai leaning against my double-glazed door leading out to the garden. I catch a glance of a blue tit, feeding on the fat balls. I stand staring with the anticipation of catching a sight of another. Ungracefully a wood pigeon turns up. What a disappointing sight, I say aloud.
Atithi Devo Bhava, I hear in a voice in the background. The guest is god?.
Really?!? I think distastefully. Atithi Devo Bhava? and a pigeon? It eats all the seeds, poops in the water bowl and calls upon the rest of its gang to make my garden their new hangout place. No! No, Atithi Devo Bhava to pigeons, I sternly say to myself.
In the midst of my battle with the wood pigeon, I hear the distinctive calling, caw?. I notice the jet-black marble eyes of death perched on my fence.
*As published in 'Creativity in Crisis', Tattva Press, an independent publisher, with a mission to nurture aspiring authors and ideas at the frontiers of Indian culture. All proceeds from this publication will be donated to the National Emergencies Trust (NET)'s Coronavirus Appeal. Buy a copy and find out more: www.tattva.org.uk/creativity-in-crisis
