Learn something from the children.

About a couple of weeks ago, my nephews and nieces stumbled upon a bird's nest that had apparently fallen to the ground. The nest was intact and, wonder of wonders, three house sparrow chicks were cheeping inside, all unharmed by the twelve-foot fall. My nephews and nieces, not being able to contain their glee and awe, decided then and there that they would take upon themseves the task of rearing the said sparrow chicks.

Naturally, everyone guffawed at the kids for taking on what seemed to be a Sisyphean task. And indeed it did quite seem formidable: the chicks were bald and still blind, and had not even developed the faintest sprinkling of feathers to protect them from the elements. But still my nephews and nieces persevered. They built a makeshift nest out of rags and took turns feeding the chicks hog feeds by hand, and giving them drops of water from a PH Care bottle.

Days progressed into weeks, and my family was quite surprised when they saw the chicks again, this time covered with feathers and literally jumping with vigor. Everyone couldn't believe and marvel at the job done, and done well.

Still, as is expected of all domesticated wild animals, instincts began taking over, and one by one, the now grown-up birds are taking their leave. When I asked my nephews what they think about it, they said: "Wala naman po kaming magagawa, kasi kailangan po nila na maging malaya. Sana lang po bumalik sila paminsan-minsan."

And it really made me wish that all humans would think the same way.