By A. A. Takabe
Old man Lanier watched the crows gather. First three, then ten. Each landed with old hunger, heads tilted. He scattered raw seed over the frostbitten lawn, fingers shaking. They dove, shrieking.
His daughter called from the porch. “Pa? Come inside!”
But they needed him.
He whispered to the biggest one. It blinked. He smiled. They’d always listened—before the doctors, before talk of homes and forms and being “looked after.”
One landed on his shoulder.
Nibbling.
Pecking his skin like feed.
Behind him, the sliding door shut.
She’d learn.
The birds were hungry.
And soon, she’d be the one feeding them.
Such a beautiful story and capturing so well that wonderful connection between man and birds. I understand our connection with nature through the birds and animals and it is two way. I believe that they understand us better than other humans. Lovely lovely story I was with him in the garden
Wow
That’s amazing. Such an original, fully formed story in 101 words. One of the best I’ve read.