Leaflets From My Life -My Two Charming Adoptions

I have adopted Two lovely birds, A Laughing Thrush From the far off hills of Nilgiris; And a Teal From the icy lake of Baikal. The birds are Exotic, charming, Prettier than a painting, Lovelier than a jewel, Happier than any human! Adopting these birds Does not mean that I cage them In my house or my compound; It means, I let them live a free life, In their environment, breathing fresh air. The Laughing Thrush Laughs her heart out with a loud Peals of Pee-ko-ko, Pee-ko-ko Breaking the silence of the dark night, Reverberating through the mystical eucalyptus trees. For the life of me, I cannot comprehend The language of the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, Sometimes, the sound is like a scolding, A harsh ke-ke-ke sound that reprimands Like a teacher to behave myself. The Baikal Teal Is an inhabitant of the coldest region of Russia, Gliding and wading through the iced lake, A colourful bird like a swan, so cool and calm, Seated like a Yogi in the purest water of the lake. The birds do not know at all That they have been adopted, To protect and preserve their species. How does it matter at all? Personally, All that matters is that I adore these sweet birds I can never go again to Irkutsk, To see Lake Baikal or To watch the Baikal Teal Sitting pretty in the snow white lake But I can visualize them in my mind's eyes. I may make a trip to Nilgiris Not far from my native land, But how do I spot my laughing Thrush? When she is perched on a tall tree Laughing her heart out in glee. Well, I have two framed pictures of these birds Gifted to me by the Bombay Natural History Society. I look at them everyday, as they adorn my table, I love my birds for they are my teachers, Inspiring me to fly and dance like a bird in the sky.