The poet walked in his garden, listening to the birds.
This was something he did quite regularly, but this morning would not be regular. It began when a dove settled on a branch just above him and chirped out a little song. He looked up and said “Well now, that is certainly different. Since when did you start singing that particular tune? “
“I’m surprised you noticed the difference” replied the dove. “Not many would you know, or for that matter, not many could.”
“Well I can certainly hear the difference, why is that?”
“Why is what? … why is it different or why can you hear it?”
The poet replied “Both, I suppose.” He thought for a moment, then went on “Quite apart from those two questions, what about the question of me being able to talk to you, surely that in itself is quite remarkable, wouldn’t you say?”
“Not really.”
“Oh! Not really you say?”
“No. There are lots of people who can do that. Most of the time they are not believed of course, but they can do it.”
“I had no idea!”
“Oh! Yes, I think Francis might have started it all, or at least helped it along.”
“Francis?”
“…of Assisi.”
“Oh! Yes, of course, him.”
“He used to preach to them, you know.”
“Them?”
“The birds.”
“Oh! Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, they, or we I should say, would flock to hear him speak. He was such a nice man.”
The poet lifted his shoulders and stretched a little, as if to bring himself back to the point. He continued “OK. Some people are able to converse with birds. We have established that, but why can I hear the difference in the call you make?”
“I just don’t know the answer to that, it puzzles me. I’ll ask around later. Meanwhile, I’ll confide in you about the difference.”
“Confide?”
“Yes, confide.”
“I am honoured.”
The dove said “You should be” and turned his head to the side. “I have met my partner. Yes, only yesterday we sat on a branch together, not far from here. She is by far the prettiest dove you ever did see, and she has agreed to be my partner. Hence the difference in my call. Only she can recognise it.”
The poet said “That is truly wonderful! I am so happy for you and I thank you most sincerely for sharing your good news with me.”
The dove said “You’re welcome.”
The poet stood with his palms open “So, where is this beauty now?”
“Behind you”, came the proud reply.
He turned and looked up at the dove; it was a very beautiful bird. At this point she lowered her head and breast very low, then came slowly up.
The poet bowed in return.
At this point there was a flapping of wings; first he then she, sailed off to start a new life together.
The poet went back into his secluded room, to carefully set down an account of it all.