Learning Little Lessons

Photo by Forest and Kim Starr

There are so many lessons to be learned. Sometimes teachers appear when you least expect them. I had the incredible luck to watch a dramatic scene at a stoplight today. As the wind carried a big, black crow in nearly a straight path, two small birds zigged, zagged, and harassed the predator, zipping up from behind, crashing into the beefy black wings, plucking at its tail, nipping at its head. The crow hunched his shoulders, and flapped them off, staring straight ahead while thrashing his way to safety. After a tenth of a mile, one of the small birds broke off the pursuit and beat frantically back the way she came, while the other continued his desperate dog fight.

Another tenth of a mile and the crow pulled out in the lead, his feathers ruffled and air whipping over them, his head still tucked in a defensive position. He slowed when he realized his enemy dropped back. But the small bird had been watching for that and heaved forward for another onslaught. The black jounced ahead, his wings cutting the air, buoyed by sleek aerodynamics while the small one pulled back and watched for a several fleeting seconds.

When he was satisfied the crow was in full retreat, the small bird turned and raced at full speed back the way he came with an economy of motion and an abundance of grit.

Even when a task seems too daunting, if you just keep at it you can accomplish anything.