An Unexpected Discovery On The Forest Path
The green feathers of the adult parrot lay flat against the dirt of the hiking trail. Beside the adult, two tiny, featherless chicks stretched their necks upward, their pink skin exposed to the filtered sunlight of the forest canopy.
A cyclist rounded the bend and skidded to a halt. The metal of his bike frame clicked as he leaned it against a nearby tree. He took off his helmet, revealing damp hair, and walked toward the small cluster of life on the ground.
The adult parrot remained motionless as the man knelt in the dirt. He reached out with steady, deliberate movements, hovering his fingers just inches above the ground to gauge the bird’s reaction. The adult bird blinked, its eyes focusing on the man’s hands.
Careful Hands In The Wild
The man reached into his gear and pulled out a water bottle. He tilted the plastic container, letting a small droplet fall onto his own index finger. He moved his hand toward the beak of the smallest chick.
The chick opened its mouth wide, accepting the moisture. The man repeated the motion, moving slowly between the two chicks to ensure each had enough. His movements were rhythmic, designed to keep the small creatures calm as the sunlight shifted through the trees.
After the chicks were tended to, the man turned his attention to the adult. He carefully scooped the mother parrot into his palms, holding her close to his chest to keep her steady. His grip was loose, allowing the bird to rest without feeling trapped.
Returning The Family To Safety
The man rose to his feet, keeping his hands cupped together. He walked carefully down the trail, watching his footing to ensure he wouldn’t slip on the loose gravel. The mother bird stayed tucked securely in his grasp while the chicks remained protected in his other hand.
He reached a large, sturdy tree and climbed until he found a suitable opening. He reached into the hollow and began to arrange the small, featherless bodies, positioning them deep within the shelter of the wood.
He placed the adult bird carefully beside her young. The mother moved instantly to huddle over them, her feathers fluffing out to cover their exposed skin. The man pulled his hands back slowly, allowing the birds to settle into the darkness of their home.
A Quiet Return To The Canopy
The man stayed for a moment longer, resting his hand on the bark of the tree. The adult parrot turned her head, looking out from the hollow toward the path where the man had first found them.
The man turned and walked back toward his bike. He picked it up from the grass, his boots crunching against the fallen leaves. He climbed onto the seat and pushed off, his wheels rolling silently away from the tree.
The mother bird remained nestled within the tree hollow, her head tucked close to her chicks. As the man disappeared around the corner of the trail, the only sound left in the clearing was the rustle of leaves in the wind.
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