This poor little weaver chick was the only apparent survivor after the nest fell from heights unknown on a Thursday afternoon a week back. The odds were against survival, but I got some special food from the local pet shop and started two-hourly feeds using an eye-dropper at first, and then a syringe.
He was gobbling and pooping successfully through Friday, and I thought he was in there with a chance. I was even more optimistic by Monday evening.
On Tuesday morning he didn’t seem as voracious as usual, but he had two feeds. When I went to give him the third, towards midday, he was dead. I was quite devastated, after he had survived for so long. I discovered that I had really bonded.
My moping had me meandering mentally on matters metaphysical. Was this yet another of the totally pointless strings of events with which a completely accidental universe is randomly littered? Or did those few days of caring for such a demanding, helpless little thing have any meaning or significance for me or the bird or both?
If one chooses to assign the slightest sort of reason to such life (and death) events, one is forced to go back to the idea that the soul is an energy force not only separate from the intellect, but indestructible like all matter and energy. Also, that as all evidence seems to point towards purposeful strivings towards adaptation and improvement on the physical and mental planes for all creatures, one can postulate that the same striving would take place with their spirits or life-forces.
Then, the only thing that makes any sort of sense from a religious point of view, given the vast differences in life experiences between all creatures even of the same kind and in the same environment, is reincarnation. This theory continues to give answers well beyond the points at which conventional religious teachers start tripping over their own tongues or resorting to meaningless platitudes.
I can well accept that those days and curtailed-sleep nights of caring would have been good for me, but can’t really see what they would have achieved for the little weaver. Was his soul warmed by my love, just as I warmed his little body in my hands?
Hey, maudlin isn’t my style! I’m stopping right here!
© February 2013 Colonialist (WordPress)
Colonialist's Blog 
Very sad 😦
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I still find it so.
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I think it is a reminder of how fragile life is and to remind you of how compassionate you are!
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Or to remind one to BE compassionate?
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Such deep thinking this early on a Monday morning after a relatively sucky weekend – not good.
I will say this though – had you not bothered to look after the bird, how would you have felt then?
At least you know you’re still a halfway decent person, if nothing else 😉
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There IS that to it!
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I have puzzled for years over reincarnation and still am unsure. The figures just don’t add up. And the world should be becoming more spiritual, but the opposite is true. I do believe that love is the most important thing and you showed love and kindness to the little weaver.
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Figures won’t add up if one is determined to limit the life forms to human and the venue to Earth. If one broadens those definitions, anything is possible.
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I’ve helped my wife raise hatchling parrots. At best, they’re very vulnerable and can only survive in the best environment.
Considering the nest fell from a great height, the small bird may have been damaged by the fall. Your valiant effort was an act of kindness almost unknown in nature. It’s why we are special; even when our efforts are only to lend comfort until the end.
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Ems has rescued a fair few critters over the years; it seems to be her forte, or calling?
Almost all don’t make it, but the odd one does.
And it’s the one that counts.
If love is the highest expression of our humanity then what better way to express it in such a selfless act towards a creature that can neither understand or ever show its appreciation?
Good one Mr. N.
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Good for Ems!
I do so wish this one had made it.
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The heart is a muscle.
We use it . . . or lose it.
The love we give is never wasted.
As for the wee bairn, I expect that he died better off than if he had starved to death, alone in the garden.
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I hope you are right that prolonging the inevitable wasn’t a bad move.
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We also had a birdie like that once. Even though it was only with us a few days, it was very sad when it died.
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Isn’t it? One would think they would peg out very soon, but that after a few days the survival possibilities would be higher.
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It is a very good question though, i guess we could ponder it for most of our lives and never come up with an answer. Life is. Death is. Sometimes there are no answers.. and thats ok. c
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I must admit I rather like answers.
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Thank you for your kindness! So touching! May the weaver rest in peace!
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I wish I had been more successful.
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You do your best! May you be blessed for your kindness!
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Goodness, he certainly was tiny. The starlings I found were a tad bigger, and I hope they survived at C.R.O.W. I also learned about the feed and poop routine! You aren’t such an “awful” man after all 😉
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So do I!
Perhaps I should have taken this one to CROW, too.
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very sad for you and the bird, but he was on losing trail because of shock yhat he probably suffered. but as one comment said better to have tried, shows a good heart..;)
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I would have thought that after nearly five days, the shock factor would no longer be there. I wonder what went wrong. Sad.
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So sad, but at least you tried your best.
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I did that.
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I loved this post, Col. My feeling is yes, the genuine care for the little chick helped him not be alone for this short little time he needed to be here. You grew from this experience of sharing of your soft and gentle heart…you gave a part of yourself. It is what the heart knows, what you gave from your heart and how your heart knew what should be done…
*big hug*
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I really hope that you are right and that such events aren’t completely meaningless.
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So sad for the little weaver and for you. It’s amazing how incredibly quickly we can bond with a creature requiring so much of us. I truly am sorry that you had to go through this.
With regards to the rest, well, I’m a believing Christian but most certainly do not have all the answers. If I did, I’d probably be tempted into typing out an essay here. Instead, I simply offer my condolences and a thank you for having tried your best. I am so sorry.
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Thanks – it would be nice to find someone with all the answers!
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In kindness it is better to lose trying to win than to just have let it be.
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Yes, at least I did try my best.
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