Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Best Medicine



"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
-John Wooden

My brother and his significant other were motoring yesterday when they glimpsed a black and white bundle at the side of the road. They stopped the car and hurried out to the aid of the injured bird, a Magpie.
He must have been hit by a car. The fellow was in deep shock, dripping wet and missing some feathers from the top of his delicate head.
The pair gathered him up and took him straight away to my mother's house.
A hairdryer was soon procured and the Magpie's feathers were softly blown to a comfortable level of dryness. He was set down in a bedroom and left in peace to recover from the dreadful mishap that had befallen him.
The very last thing I heard from Mater indicated that the bird's strength was resuming. His alertness was gradually sharpening up and a short interim at the hands of a girl who loves animals with her whole heart seemed to have begun to mend the helpless creature.
This bird will eventually- with any luck- fly away, and those that salvaged his life will be graced by the bright spark of hope and fulfillment that comes with performing an act of kindness.
Looking after one another, and having concern for the tiniest of creatures, has always worked wonders- whether that be with a hairdryer, spare change or a smile.

14 comments:

paulmerrill said...

One can never go wrong by showing acts of kindness to others. It helps mend our souls!

Unknown said...

Wow, and here we both are, posting about good deeds on the side of the road! There is a thread across this Universe. Thanks for your very kind words.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Paul, it made me feel good just to hear the story, so to be the one that saved the bird must be something else. They're always doing things like that. They rescue dogs and wild animals all the time.

Kip, sometimes, bizarrely, it seems easier to bring yourself to stop for a bird than a person. That might sound strange but as you said in your own post, it's true that people are suspicious of each other and trying to help doesn't always work out as we'd hope. Still we have to try our best. When my mother shared this story yesterday I just knew I had to tell it. My brother and his girlfriend might not make the national news for their efforts but we in the blogworld know there are kind people out there.

Jaime said...

Such a heartwarming story. I'm glad to hear it will most likely have a happy ending!

My friend once found an injured seagull and called me to come pick him up so he could take the poor bird to the vet. He had a hole right through his abdomen! Looked like he landed on a flag pole and the pole went right through him. Unfortunately, his injuries were too great, and he didn't make it, but our hearts definitely grew that day, when the well being of an animal was more important than anything else going on in our lives at the time.

Barb said...

What a nice story illustrating the golden rule even if with a wee small animal.

Doesn't it always bring the warm fuzzies to do something good for someone else?

polona said...

i believe any act of kindness is repaid sooner or later...
so glad things are looking up for the bird .

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Jaime, at least you both tried to save the bird. You did your best for him. That's an awfully sad story though. Poor thing.

Barb, It does indeed. No matter the outcome, it's worth the trouble.

Polona, I think so too. There has to be a balance somewhere, doesn't there. Everything we do comes back to us eventually. I like to think so.

julochka said...

sigh...if only all the world's problems could be solved with a hairdryer, spare change or a smile...

sweet story!

Pappy said...

Very nice thought for today. Thanks for reminding us.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Julie, thanks. We can probably get at the little problems at least :)

Texican, thanks for your words.

tangobaby said...

Please be sure to keep us updated about the magpie. I hope he/she recovers back to perfect health.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Tangobaby, it was not good news about the magpie, sadly. But they did what they could, which is the most important thing. At least they didn't leave it lying there and he did seem to be much happier in the end than when they found him so no doubt they did a lot of good for him.

San said...

Lovely. I saw a film the other night in which one of the characters said that one of his relatives had told him, "When a bird flies into your house, it's an angel." I don't see why an angel could'nt be fallen at the side of the road too.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

San, I've not heard that phrase before. I'm sure it applies here. He brought out the good in my brother and his girlfriend...

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