A Pigeon Blessing
ServiceSpace
--Khushmita Sanghvi
3 minute read
Apr 22, 2012

 

On 21st April, Saturday morning, Sheetal and myself returned home after visiting a famous Hanuman temple. It was a very blessed day for us as we had just witnessed the abundant love of the universe pouring into our lives through the closure of an arduous trial.
 
As we stepped into our main gate, we noticed a wounded pigeon writhing in pain under a tree. A few crows had started stepping towards the pigeon as well. It seemed like a baby pigeon and quite instinctively, Sheetal shooed away the crows and sat near the pigeon protectively.
 
Both of us had no clue as to what should be done as the pigeon was now alarmed by our presence and still in a lot of pain, was trying to move away.

My parents who are down for a holiday also came out and together all of us started chanting and praying for the pigeon. We noticed that the pigeon seemed to have completely twisted it’s neck and could not straighten it at all after trying constantly. It also had a wound close to its eye and was in immense pain. The four of us just kept praying and chanting and in a while the pigeon stopped struggling and lay still, watching us intently.

 
In a few minutes, Manisha, a maid who cleans the school in our premises walked in and asked us what had happened.  In the meanwhile, Sheetal called up his friend  Vishwajeet who is a bird lover and wildlife photographer and asked him how we could help the poor bird. Vishwajeet suggested we take the bird to the Rajiv Gandhi (snake park) hospital and orphanage for wildlife which tends to and looks after injured animals and birds.
 
We promptly brought out two baskets to gently carry the pigeon in, and Manisha volunteered to pick the pigeon and keep it in the basket. With great love and gentleness she picked up the pigeon and soothed it. After making it drink some water, she layed it carefully in the basket.My mom gently applied some turmeric on it’s wound. By now the pigeon was quite comfortable with our presence and lay quite still in the basket. We covered the top of the basket with another cane basket so the pigeon could breathe and stay ventilated.
 
My parent’s and myself then drove to the animal hospital with the pigeon sitting comfortably in the backseat with my Mom who was constantly chanting for its health. As we reached the Rajiv Gandhi orphanage and hospital for animal’s, a friendly watchman told us where to park the car. He then led us into the space and introduced us to one of the employee’s in a uniform. We related the incident to him and smiling away he gingerly picked up the pigeon. He carefully examined the young bird and soothing it with his finger’s told us not to worry and the bird would be completely healthy in 3 days.
 
We were overjoyed when he said that they would tend to its wound and re-align its neck in a matter of few days. It would be fed by hand and once it was well enough would be set free to soar into the skies once again!
 
We thanked him profusely and instantly asked him if we could contribute in any manner towards the organization as they were doing such selfless work for our fellow beings.
 
He smilingly refused our offer and said that the joy of healing the animal’s and bird’s and setting them free was enough for them to survive a lifetime. They did not need any monetary help and were well funded. He looked genuinely happy tending to the various wounded bird’s and animal’s there.
 
As we stepped out, all three of us felt lighter in our hearts knowing that the pigeon was in safe hands with noble souls tending to it. We fondly waved it goodbye as it looked at us warmly perhaps knowing that it would maybe give us a flying visit soon.
 

Posted by Khushmita Sanghvi on Apr 22, 2012


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