Nurungukal….

    A loud tweet from our sitting room window made me to drag my attention forcibly from the book I was deeply engrossed in. As I raised my head and looked at the direction from where the call has come, I saw them perched on the grills, the familiar pair of bulbuls, whom I considered as the harbingers of spring. Year after year they have not broken the schedule and their life long partnership.  It was as if their right to encroach each year and celebrate their courtship with us. Or by a vow of destiny they keep their annual promise under our care. Because we know their visit has a purpose, and far sighted too. To rear their progeny, a compulsive purpose of the nature. But ironically this year it happened to be, while I was wandering through a situation , meticulously narrated by a young author on her journey to motherhood.

       I knew that it was their pre-visit to assess the suitability of the site for setting up of their would be cradle. Which should be secure from predators, vagaries of nature, abundant food and materials for building a nest. Many such visits are to be completed before it is finally approved by the pair as a prelude to their courtship. As I have been a silent spectator of their pranks for the last few years, each and every movement and calls can be deciphered easily. Some times it is a scary blurred sound indicating a caution about our movements in the room.  Or incessant chirping and huddle together, love making in progress.  Flight and swoops  from one object to other to examine the adequacy of the parameters.  Their  vociferous presence will persist for short periods , then would suddenly  vanish from the scene. Next moment would perch on the blade of the ceiling fan and would peep down to take an aerial view. This exercise in solo or in company of the partner will continue for a day or two, or until they settle on an apt choice. As I am familiar with their requirements, usually by securing a suitable shallow object on the wall or window will help them to take a quick decision. And once they arrive at a consensus, the architect in them is sensitised. From there on, like self propelled machines, together they finish setting up a cute little nest of immaculate precision. The mission is accomplished devoid of any tool or text. The ingenuity and instinct are their guiding force. In them I felt the Unknown. Call it Nature, God or Omnipotent. A spark of life well defined and destined. Why such tiny mechanisms prevail on this planet is a myth. What is there ultimate goal to lesser creatures like humans. They live for a while accomplishing an un-inked mission. No rewards, no complaints. Not seeking mercy or merit…..

         As I tap the key board, the pair is busy feeding, tendering and readying their progeny to full fill an unknown accomplishment. At each flap of the wings three fledglings are flipping open their red mouths for the energy food suitable for each stages of their growth from their mentor and mother.  More than twenty days are over since we heard the harbinger tweet. The seasonal sojourn of the family would be over in a day or two, leaving us once again in waiting till next spring.

        While thanking the family for presenting us a few moments of pleasure and escape from the monotony of a pandemic induced isolation  ….wish them Adieu…….