Look, a Nest!

Anita Vachharajani

One morning, as Siya opened her eyes—

‘Come here!’ said Papa. ‘There’s a surprise!’

 Outside their window, in the mango tree

Were twigs, woven as tight as could be!

A pair of crows flew up from the ground,

One sat on the twigs, one flapped around.

‘Is it a nest?’ asked Siya excitedily,

‘Yes!’ said Papa. ‘For the crow family!’

The crows were busy collecting stuff—

Sticks and leaves and bits of fluff.

 

Brown twigs, plastic pieces—

Shiny papers full of creases!

 

Siya and Papa watched the nest grow,

Warm, brown, snug—a mid-air home!

 

‘When, oh when?’ Siya sighed.

‘Will there ever be eggs inside?’

One day, Papa said, ‘Siya, come here fast!

Look! Four eggs in the nest at last!’

Siya stood there as quiet as a mouse,

Watching Mr Crow fly around his house.

Mrs Crow sat with the creamy-green eggs,

Tucked safely under her chest and legs.

Now every night Siya sighed,

‘When will the babies come outside?’

Then one day, Siya was pulled out of bed.

‘Open your eyes, you sleepyhead!’

Siya blinked and rubbed her eyes—

The nest in the tree held a lovely surprise!

Four little mouths, pink and opened wide,

Four tiny bundles of fur, eyes shut tight.

Suddenly there was so much to do—

Up and down the parents flew!

‘The babies need to grow big and strong,

That’s why the crows hunt all day long!’

For a bit, Mama Crow stayed in the nest,

She guarded the babies without rest.

How they ate! Big mouths, stretched wide,

Worm after worm disappeared inside!

Siya watched as the baby birds grew

Bigger and fatter, and feathered too!

Mama Crow taught her babies to fly,

Up and down the tree—not too high.

‘Soon,’ said Papa, ‘They’ll fly away,

And have nests of their own one day!’

And one morning they flew up high,

Over the trees and into the sky!

Siya watched as the birds flew far away,

Would they come back some day?

Bio: Anita Vachharajani lives in Mumbai and loves watching birds. She also loves reading and writing children’s books.