Bedtime Story – Nilu and her birds

By Priyanka A R

Nilu received a wonderful gift this time – 4 budgies. Even though it was of the very common colours, blue and green, she loved them. It was gifted by Ansu aunt, her sister’s friend for no reason at all. It was neither her birthday nor a long-term visit.

She thought of naming the budgies at first and later dropped the idea, she felt them as a single entity.

”Nilu, you should feed the birds daily. This bowl is to keep water for them. A box full of feed is kept on your study table.”

“And after a few days, you can train these budgies.”

“How should I do that?”

“See, you can ask them to get onto this stick kept across the cage.”

“The paper tray kept at the bottom of the cage should be cleaned daily; you can ask Amma to help you about it.”

All the three birds were chirping and were making noise throughout the day but one remained silent and did not move much.

“Hey, aren’t you well?”

Birds did not pay attention to Nilu.

“We will be friends soon.”

At night, Nilu asked Pa to keep the cage inside the house.

Also Read: Bedtime Story – Leela’s Grasshoppers

“Cats are dangerous.”, she knew it.

Nilu’s birds woke up early in the morning and remained restless till they were taken out and kept in the sun.

But one bird did not join the others.

“Maybe they are not the right pair.” That was Ma’s thought.

Birds loved to have coriander leaves in the morning. And now they sit on the stick Nilu showed them. The gloomy one sat on the same corner as on the first day.

Nilu thought over it a whole day and finally gave Ansu aunt a ring.

“Hello, Nilu, what is up? How are your budgies doing?”

“Aunt, I think we must return two of them to the shop.

“Oh, what made you think so?”

“Aunt, one of the birds lost his friend in the shop and he is very unhappy.”

“Are you sure, Nilu?”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“Alright, we will go tomorrow.”

“Thank you aunt, see you.”

“Bye, take care.”

Nilu felt the day was rather long. The next day morning she brushed her teeth, took bath, had her breakfast and put on her green frock. She made sure that birds are not hungry and thirsty. Then she emptied the bowls in the cage for food and water. Ansu aunt drove in at ten. Seeing that Nilu is ready, she did not wait for tea.

The shop was crowdy. They waited patiently. There were rabbits, doves, parrots, love birds and chicks in different cages. And finally, it was their turn.

“My budgie needs its friends.”

The shop keeper smiled and let the budgies mix with the whole group of birds. And in five minutes everything was looking perfect.

“I need only one pair, thank you.”

Nilu felt very light and relaxed.

Now she is waiting for the budgies to lay eggs.

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