Mithu and Me

I watched my mother-in-law, taking care of her pets.  She not only nursed and cared for them, she also protected them.  She had a dog, chicken (a small poultry) and a parrot, named Mithu.  While she walked around, she would talk to Mithu and feed her.

Then, it was time to clean up Mithu's cage.  She took Mithu out of the cage, while she cleaned up the cage.  To my surprise, the bird did not fly away to freedom.  I asked my mother-in-law, why isn't she flying.  I was shocked to hear her reply,  "her wings have been clipped off".  A feeling of sadness overwhelmed me.  

Somehow, I could relate myself with that bird. 

I went to Mithu every day, would watch her inside her cage, she watched me too, quietly from her cage.  I wanted so much for her to fly and be truly happy.

One fine morning, after my mother in law had left for the hospital, where she worked as a nurse, I went to Mithu again.  To my surprise, she wasn't there.  Her cage was not open.  Where was Mithu, I couldn't see her anywhere around.  I just had to wait till mother returned around 4 p.m.

There were no mobile phones available then. I waited impatiently for her to return.  I was a bit worried for Mithu. 

As soon as mother returned, I rushed to the gate and told her Mithu was not in the cage.  She smiled and then laughed and told me, Mithu had grown back her feathers and could fly again, I let her fly.

I could see, she was happy for Mithu and so was I, wishing that she was safe too.