Better off...

Was reminded of a story tt feels vaguely familiar, a story tt due to memory lapses, is probably a merger of a few tales, a story tt has, in some parts, been filled with real tales where the storyline can't be recalled, as it gets retold from generation to generation.

That of a bird, who fell from a tree and injured its wing. Who was thankfully saved by a couple. The couple gave the bird the best care. Housed it in a comfortable and spacious cage. Fed and nursed it back to health.

However, the bird, no matter how grateful of the care lavished on it, longed to return back to the sky. However happy it felt, there was a tug deep within it to go back to where it belonged.

The couple were distraught and perturbed- they couldn't comprehend why. The skies were so unsafe, so fraught with dangers. Predators loomed , harsh weathers were often. All is well in your cage. There's no need to worry about food nor shelter. You are safe.

For the goodness and kindness the couple showed, the care, concern and attention that have been lavished on the it, the bird tried hard to get used to the sheltered life. But it couldn't, it felt miserable, lifeless, limp. It wanted to show how grateful it was, but it simply can't garner the strength or spirit to do it.

One day, it heard the unclicking of the latch. It was free...its wings ,stimulated by the wind, gathered strength that very moment , and with a flap, it flew off. Back to the skies, back to where it came from, into the arms of its natural home.

While younger days would have me rooting for the couple and slamming the bird for its ingratitude, today, i grasped a new perspective to this story. Today, I judged less, attributed less blame to the bird and adopted more understanding.

Perhaps, at times, things are best left in their natural states. The couple aren't the bird and vice versa, and as strong as their bond may be for one another, they can't go beneath the skin to truly, and fully comprehend the feelings and the inner world of the other party. All set out with good intentions and desires, but that alone, may not be able to see them through till the end of the mission/goal due to conflicting perceptions, values and beliefs.

Hawker centres were once a fodder of such discussions. The food, so tantalising and uniquely prepared, stand a chance of being pitted against world class cuisine. If only, hawker centres were not that stuffy, the place could be more trendy, the hawkers can be cleaner...

So the action began, with upgrades, revamp, renovations, hygiene grading system, even education for hawkers to be more hygenic, serve healthier food, be more tourist friendly.
But the hawkers were stifled under the new regime, they couldn't show their flair. They felt miserable. They felt suppressed. The people who had made it happen, on the other hand, felt miffed and exasperated- for what did they do wrong? All these, were for the ultimate good of the hawkers, who are likely get more business, earn more income.
But though customers have to sweat it out no more, somehow, the food just didn't taste as good as before. The essence of it was lost.

Nothing's perfect but,perhaps, there is no need for anxiety, pity, overbearing concern or helpful interference because people and creatures have been endowned with characteristics/qualities necessary for their own survival and for them to thrive. It's a fine line between being at peace and being resigned/apathetic. And saying things like 'things are meant to be' seems to be taking the easy way out. But while the short term may see many peaks and troughs, in the long run, things even out. It can be called leaving it to nature, letting nature take its course, or for me, entrusting things into His hands that one day, as far as the day may be, as difficult as it may be to visualize how things can ever turn out fine, as impossible as it is- it one day would, if only I trust and keep my faith in Him.

And I hope,

The bird , happy in the blue skies, would occassionally take a flight back to catch a glimpse of the couple who gave it back its life