A Caged Bird
By: Nandana A 
Age: 10
Atlanta, GA USA

​…“The caged bird sings   
With a fearful trill   
Of things unknown   
But longed for still   
And his tune is heard   
On the distant hill   
For the caged bird   
Sings of freedom.”… 
         - Maya Angelou
 
These lines never fail to bring tears to my eyes. Birds are a spectacular sight to see when they are soaring through the skies.  Birds love to fly in the open skies - why take that freedom away from them?  
 
A few years ago, my grandmother bought me a pair of colorful birds in a cage. The minute I saw them, I was in love!  They were the perfect pets in my eyes. I imagined them living in my room and entertaining me with their sweet songs. But the birds never chirped nor did they eat any of the bird seed I offered to them. I knew that if they didn't eat, they would die. So my mother suggested that I let them go free. After a lot of persuation, I agreed to set them free. I took the cage outside into the garden. I saw the birds fluttering their wings and showing excitement for the first time. They started chirping and trying to fly in the cramped space. I opened the door to the cage and the birds flew out within seconds, screeching at the top of their voice.
 
I started to cry. I didn't want to lose my birds! I came to India for my summer vacation and everyone else was in school or work. It was lonely at times, and I hoped that those birds would keep me company. Everyone else started to comfort me, and I stopped crying after a while. My birds came every day, and fed on the birdseed that I put out for them, as if to thank or comfort me. I went back home when my holidays came to an end.  When I came back the next year, I couldn't find my birds. But whenever I see a bird, I remember my own sweet little buddies.
 
If you want to see birds, put out a birdfeeder and a bowl of water, or grow plants that attract birds. Better yet, grab a pair of binoculars and go bird watching. Free birds are happier and prettier than caged birds. Set a bird free and give wildlife a chance!          
 
…“A free bird leaps 
On the back of the wind   
And floats downstream   
Till the current ends 
And dips his wing 
In the orange sun rays 
And dares to claim the sky.”…
            - Maya Anjelou


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