A Bird

Kim, the receptionist, called me from her desk today after lunch. "There's a bird that flew into the window!"

She called me up to the front to take a look and see if I could help it, first asking me if I was afraid of birds. I don't normally consider myself an expert on birds, but I went to the front to see what I could do.

The bird was lying on the ground on its side and breathing heavily. When I approached it, it didn't seem to notice my presence. Even though Sam was on the other side of the door telling me not to touch it, I lightly stroked its head. It made no sign that it knew of my presence. I stood outside with it for a while staring at it, praying.

Sam was joking that I was just staring at a bird but I didn't want to leave it. Kim and I monitored the bird's progress for a while. Eventually, without warning, it rolled onto its feet and sat straight up, eyes closed. It stayed that way for two hours, occasionally opening and closing its beak or slightly moving its wings.

Just as Kim called me to tell me my boss was fine with me taking it to a wildlife sanctuary in a TG box, Joel was outside moving it into the bushes by sliding a newspaper under it. Complete with glove, Joel moved the bird. As he did the moment was priceless. The bird opened its eyes for the first time that we had noticed and turned its head to watch Joel as he moved him. He fluttered his wings a bit and flew/fell slowly into the bushes. Joel was met by a round of applause/happy noises from the haphazard group of employees assembled at the front of the building to watch.

Joel is the hero of the day.