Monday, September 22, 2008

I Believe I Can Fly

I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me, oh
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly...
Hey, cuz I believe in me, oh
If I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly...
Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly

By R Kelly. To listen to the song click here

We visited Kathmandu this summer and were mesmerised with the scenery there. Like all tourists, we visited the temples and I saw something I had never seen before. At the foothills of the temple, there was a guy with hundreds of birds in a few cages (see pic above). You could hear them chirping from far away. Cute looking birds of all sizes and colours.
I wondered who would buy birds in a tourist spot! Out of curiosity I went up to him and he started selling me the birds.
"Nahi bhaiya hum yaha nahi rehtey to hum ye chidiya nahi le saktey"
"Madam ye chidiya paltu banane ke liye nahi hai. Aap jitni khareedengey mein utni chidiyaon ko azad kar dunga"

At first I loved the idea but then I thought - is this ransom money he is charging me to release the birds? After all he only would've caught them in the first place right? Moreover what's the guarantee it's not his own pet birds who will fly back to him after some time?

"Madam bahut sabab ka kaam hai. Bahut punya milega aapko"
"To tum sab ko aisi hii kyon nahi chod dete. Sara punya tumhey mil jayega"
"Hum gareeb aadmi hain, rozi ke liye kuch to karna padta hai"
"Acchaa ye bahar reh payengi? Aakhir itney time se pinjre mein rahi hain to bahar kaise reh paengi, apney liye khana kaise dhund payengi"
"Aap chinta mat karo, yahan itney ped hain, ye araam se bahar reh sakengy"
"Ye tumhari paltu to nahi, ki jab hum jaye tum inhey vapas apne pinjre mein daal do?"
"Nahi madam, isse to bahut paap lagega. Kasam hai. Aisa kaam main kabhi nahi karunga"

By now I was too tempted and no amount of reasoning would work for me. I was itching to see the birds fly out in the open. I looked at H and he looked convinced too. So we told him to release 2 birds. BTW each bird was priced differently! The "joda"(pair) was more expensive, bulk of 6 was cheaper and so on.

We relased the couple and they instantly flew out and went on sat on a branch of a tree. They looked so happy and free. I looked at my hubby again and he nodded.
"Bhaiya char aur ko chod do"
4 more were released and they seemed to be loving their independance.
By now H was charged up and he said "Do aur chodo"

We were getting addicted to this and needed to stop before we went overboard. The guy insisted we relase more, but we were not sure. By now a few passersby were stopping to see the spectacle as well.

Another man started the same conversation with him...and we noticed the birds were sitting in nearby trees only. Somehow they seemed to be his pets. As if accustomed to this act, they were his friend and accomplice.
We quitely walked out. Hoping and praying that the birds were not put back in that cage...but then we will never know...

8 You Spoke:

Piper .. said...

wow! there`s something so touching about the way you`ve written this. First time here. shall go thru your archives soon :) btw, thanks for dropping by and commenting on my blog :)

Reflections said...

Good post!!!!!!!!!!
Set something free is so exciting. I just love the idea.

oh I doubt the birds will go back into his cage willingly...tho I cannot give u any guarentee on the bird-sellers part in it:-D.

Renu said...

I just loved the idea. I dont know what they do, how they capture, but there in Lucknow is also a place called Nakkhaas, where they release the birds in the same way. we did release some once, but i really pities the birds as they were cramped ina small cage:(

DeeplyDip said...

@piper: thanks for coming here too. keep visitng :)
@reflections: thanks! ya it's something i don't want to think about...we did it in good spirit and we hope the birds can remain free...
@renu: really?! this was my first experience in something like this. i now its so sad that they have to live like that because we want to fulfil our desires of owning them!

my space said...

U did ur duty...see the positive side..10 minit bhi agar koi azaadi ki saans leta hain to tumhare paise wasool..i am sure kuch ghapla hain but that shld not be a detterent for a good deed...

Mampi said...

Obviously yaar, it was a sham act. This is only to encash people's kindness.
But what you did was something good and very sweet.
Am blogrolling you. I have missed many of your posts aiwen ee. Blogroll will keep your posts in my eyes.
And you are tagged.
I know I know i m to do the award thingy, but eh kise ne threaten kar ke pehlan karwaa leya tag, hehehe.

Mysterious Mia said...

ah beautiful post

n hey thanks for stopping by at mine n leaving comments see ya around :)

DeeplyDip said...

@my space: I agree. It felt good to see them fly out.
@mampi: Thanks for blogrolling me and tagging me as well! Will take it up asap. As for the award - take your time no issues. Akhir woh award ab aapka hai :)
@princess mia: hey thanks for dropping by :)

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