A Black Drongo visits my window quite regularly. A rather confident creature, with a sharp eye, a stylish tilt of the head and an air of great attitude. It lands on the ledge as though it owns the place, puffs up its feathers, looks me up and down and seems to wonder what on earth I am doing with my life.

I suspect it is mocking me. There I am, sitting at my desk, staring at a computer screen, while it has the entire sky to itself. It can fly wherever it pleases, perch on any tree and explore any neighbourhood. 

I decided to confront my visitor one day.

“Good morning! You are early today.” 

“Early? I have been up for hours. Some of us have things to do,” it chirped.

“Such as?”

“Three trees, two gardens, breakfast, a little exercise and a social call. You should try it sometime.”

“I am too busy.”

“Yes, I have noticed. Every time I come here, you are sitting in exactly the same place. Don’t you ever move?”

“I am working.”

“What do you do all day?”

“Write, answer emails, make phone calls…”

“And you call that a life?”

“Well, I have responsibilities.”

It gave a little shake of its feathers.

“Responsibilities! I have no such nonsense. If I don’t like a place, I leave. If I don’t like the company, I leave. If I get hungry, I find food. Simple!”

“It must be nice to be a bird.”

“Not bad, actually,” it chirped. “And what is your excuse for being indoors?”

Before I could come up with a suitable response, it gave a flick of its wings and flew off.

I watched it disappear into the sky. I wouldn’t be surprised if it has been telling its friends about the strange human who spends her days indoors photographing birds and writing about their freedom.

Birds have wings. This one also has an attitude.