Caged Bliss

Mithu-malai, as he was lovingly called was devouring on his tasty breakfast, some almonds and carrots. He was all set for the day, a few calls to his owner, little flying in the closed room and back to the cage, the heaven on earth. Though it was not the case always. He disliked the metallic bars, banged his head many a times but now those foolish days were long over. It was the best place that can be, the best place to ever exist. Mithu was shifted to the balcony today as some cleaning work was going on inside. It was a little cold out there making the green parrot a little anxious to return back to the cozy life inside the four walls. It was then that a little sparrow came and perched near Mithu’s cage. The tiny one greeted Mithu with a sweet good morning! Mithu though a bit uninterested to talk to a wild, uncultured sparrow, acknowledged the greeting rather dryly.

“It is an amazing day, isn’t it?”, said the smaller one.

Mithu replied, “For me every day is amazing. Every day is a festival.”

“Oh, I see. By the way you might have seen the beautiful lake near the coconut grove. I live there with my family.”

“Hmm, that’s good for you. I live in luxury here. No worries of rain, sun, food etc. I swear how difficult it would be for you folks.”

“Difficult, may be. But it is great!”

“Great!? You love your misery, don’t you?”

“I love life.”

“Surely, you must be fooling.”

“Life is inherently dangerous and that is what makes it beautiful and precious. I feel the best when I am with my friends, perching on beautiful trees laden with fruits. We fly around to beautiful places. We make new friends every day, we live new stories daily.”

“Hmm, sounds good but what about food? I don’t even have to bother for it here. It is served to me. Isn’t it a good enough reason to stay here at the cost of all that you have described?”

“No reason is sufficient enough to remain caged my friend. We are free beings and free shall we die. Freedom is our nature; without it we are not what we are. Yes, we face difficulties but isn’t it a part of life? Hardships come and go. Life goes on.”

Something changed inside Mithu, the cage he loved did not appear that appealing now. He too wanted to go back to the wild. To fly to that lake near the coconut grove. To fly high and wherever he wished to. A determination sparked in his heart. He wanted to escape; he wanted to embrace freedom. He knew when he could and how. It was the afternoon the next day. His human parents were setting him free for the day’s play in the main hall. The balcony door these days was left open as Mithu was well-accustomed to a confined life. He planned to escape at this moment. Mithu was ready for the leap of faith, the leap of boundlessness when suddenly the sweet smell of fresh fruits and nuts wafted in his direction. His wings froze and heart skipped a beat. Is that foolish freedom really worth it? The pleasure-seeking mind said no. The invisible barrier was difficult to cross, liberty seemed undesirable. Mithu never withheld the lake near the coconut grove.