Many years ago there was a wild bird. She wasn't exotically beautiful in plumage nor did she have an exceptional song, however she came from a wild and free flock. This wild bird was just beginning to taste the sweet freedom of leaving the nest. She had barely begun to spread her wings when she began to admire the sparkling glimmer of a gilded cage. "What a lovely, safe place to rest", she thought. She entered the massive cage and partook of the luxuries that such a place offered. The bird keeper who owned the cage provided the best quality comforts available. He kept his wild bird company, made sure she was warm in winter and always kept ugly matters to himself to avoid ruffling her delicate feathers.
As the wild bird looked out of her cage she realized how tame she had become. "How very calm my cage is", she would say to herself. But over time she would look out the window at the blue sky with billowy clouds floating by or see wild birds flying free through the trees to destinations unknown and wonder if she could survive in the wild.
The bird keeper noticed as her brightness faded and her song became more hushed. He couldn't understand why his lovely bird no longer appeared with bright eyes to greet him. He had done the very best job he knew to take care of a wild bird. He had given her a palatial bird palace; he spent everything he made to give her special delicacies; he listened to her every whim and didn't ruffle her feathers. She had always rewarded him with a special bond of companionship. And now- she was unhappy.
It was an unexpected day when my bird keeper unexpectedly left a hidden door in my cage open. Had he unlatched it intentionally before he woefully left for the day turning to look at me with sad brown eyes before closing his own door? I had no way of knowing that he was giving me the key to fly back into the wild freedom I had just a taste of so long ago. I had no way of knowing how frightening it could be to leave the safety of my beautiful cage and enter the reckless unknown. Would my wild cousins embrace me or shun me? I was soft and groomed from a delicate, caged life. I would need to learn to provide for myself in a dangerous world.
And now she is free. She flies dramatically sometimes gliding on currents far, far above and sometimes resting in a quiet place of her choosing. There are moments when she reflects on the luxuries she left behind, the soothing company of her bird keeper and then her freedom seems a little less sweet. For now, however, she will continue to explore a magnificent planet that welcomes wild birds that flock to destinations far and near.
