“Susie”

We never really “caught” it. At least we never intended to. It must have fell from somewhere the 3rd floor roof and landed on our enclosed patio. Saw it from inside through the sliding glass door, trying to briskly flap its tiny wings but was unable to achieve even a 2-feet-high flight. I decided to help it. It took a little struggle and tip-overs to grab the poor thing. Man, this creature sure is fast for a nestling.

I showed it to Robynn. And boy, she can’t stop saying: “Aaaawww, cute-cute!”. Took a small laundry basket and used it as a temporary cage and served it a little drink. Our little girl had a brief bonding moment with the flightless, scared chick. We agreed to set it free later. On the top floor I opened the window, and after several minutes of goodbyes, I finally released it. Robynn was happy to let go.

Couple of hours later, I thought I saw something moved in the patio’s dark corner. Something small, agile and.. WINGED! It’s the juvenile maya again!! Back from where I first found her. She must’ve attempted to take off again from where I released her, over-estimated her wingspan and touched down right on the very same spot.

For now, the patio is her home until she has trained her wings well. With feline creatures prowling the neighborhood, it’s not safe for a bite-size fowl to go chirping around looking for parents.

Don’t you worry about food, my little friend. You won’t starve. (Matthew 6:26)

I guess by now, you probably know what Robynn named her.