THE
GRASS CUTTER’S ARRIVAL
The
bird sat quietly in a corner in the cage. He had tried, but all effort to break
the cage with his beak was not successful and he later became exhausted.
Shortly after, he began to hear some crackling sounds. He knew something was
coming towards his direction so he became scared because he thought it was the
bird catcher. He looked ahead and saw the grass cutter coming; he was using his
sharp teeth to devour some nuts stocked in his sack.
Then he breathed some sign of relief!
Then he breathed some sign of relief!
The
grass-cutter was so carried away with what he was eating that he did not even
notice the caged pigeon. “Mr. Grass cutter,” shouted the bird, “Mr. Grass
cutter, it is I the Pigeon.” The animal looked around and saw the bird in a
small wooden cage. “Ha-ha!’ laughed the animal, “I’m surprised to see you on
the ground today Mr. Pigeon. I thought the heavens are made for flying
creatures like you? Why would you choose to remain on the floor? Oh I can see that
you have stepped-up. You even built for yourself a fanciful home loaded with so
many Grains! Anyway, I honestly don’t envy you”, he teased, “I have my nuts
too. I packed so much from the farmer’s store that it can last me a week or
two. And they are very delicious too!”
“Please Mr. Grass cutter,” cried the
pigeon, “This is not my house. I am trapped in here!”
“Trapped?” re-echoed the animal.
“Yes,” repeated the bird, and I don’t
want to be taken into slavery by the Bird catcher when he returns. Please save
me, I beg of you. You know I just got married two days ago and my poor wife
would be heart-broken?”
“So what do you expect me to do Mr.
Bird?” asked the animal. “I just beg of you to use your sharp teeth and cut a
portion of this cage so that I can escape from there. And then I can go home in
peace.”
“You can’t be serious!” retorted the
animal, do you want to spoil my appetite? How dare you expect me to use the
same teeth that I use for cracking nuts and other delicious fruits on a
tasteless bamboo wood like that in which you are in? Besides, that is not even
hygienic. I read in one of the latest newspapers that birds now do have flu.
I’m sorry, I just can not do that!”
The
bird busted into tears as he watched the grass cutter walking away angrily. He stood
helplessly as he observed the animal dipping his hands into his sack to bring
out more nuts to chew. And making some more annoying crackling sounds with his
jaws in the process!
ENTERING THE HUNTER’S BAIT
As
the grass cutter walked away he continued to chew his nuts. He was so much
consumed with them that did not notice the hunter’s hidden bait under the
leaves. And as he attempted to step on one of the leaves and continued with his
journey he mistakenly tripped the bait with one of its hind legs. He cried out
an excruciating pain, but that wouldn’t help his situation because he was already
pinned to the ground. The pain was so much that he threw away his sack and all
its contents poured on the ground. He groaned and moaned but there was no help
in sight. He knew he too was in trouble.
Perhaps, he thought, If I had helped the pigeon, this would have
been averted. Now I’m in the same shoes with the bird. And soon, the hunter
would return and make a meal out of me. Oh poor me! Honestly, I’m too young to
die!
Suddenly,
he heard the sound of some trees stems breaking. Immediately, he looked up and
saw Mr. Monkey swinging from one tree to another to transit himself in the
jungle. The Grass cutter called from below, “Hey, Mr. Monkey. Please come down
and free me from the hunter’s Bait, I beg of you.”
The
monkey heard and looked down and saw the groaning animal. “I am sorry,” said
Mr. Monkey, “but, I don’t have much time to waste. I am already late for a
business appointment with my one of my clients that needed some supplies of
fresh bananas. He is from the neighbouring jungle and a very rich monkey
indeed. Please I don’t want to keep him waiting for long. But if you can still hold
on a little longer, I will see what I can do if I pass by again. I hope you’d
understand? Okay?”
He
swung along the trees as the trapped animal watched in agony.
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