Fluttering

Some drama in my house late last night: I was sitting here at my computer when, with a frantic fluttering of wings in a last mighty dash for sanctuary, a bird flew into the room with cat Lucy in hot pursuit. The bird few into an inaccessible space behind the desk. I unceremoniously removed Lucy from the room and wondered what on earth to do next. Channelling St. Francis didn’t seem to work, so I started gently moving furniture.

I opened wide the window to the garden, and tried to reach down and take the bird into my hand. I couldn’t see it properly. But evidently it could see me because with more mighty fluttering it started a circuit of the room, from the carpet to the top of the central light fitting (who knew there was so much dust up there?!).

Eventually it stopped to perch on top of my bookshelves. Then I could see it was a little sparrow. One feather slightly awry on a wing, it didn’t otherwise seem hurt. It perched there a while and I could sense its panic, almost see its tiny heart beating fit to burst beneath the feathers on its breast. Such a little thing, so insignificant. (Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Matthew 10:29.)

I kept still and after an age, it dared to make another circuit of the room and this time it seemed to quell its panic enough to sense the cool night air, and made it out of the window.

This morning I looked in my Animal Speak book (recommended by Lucy – blogger Lucy, not cat Lucy!). It has this to say about the humble sparrow:

One story tells of how it was the one bird present throughout the crucifixion of Christ, making it a symbol of triumph after longsuffering. It was a symbol of household divinities in Britain; and during the Middle Ages, it was a symbol for the peasants and lower classes throughout Europe. Peasants, at this time, were often helpless under the power of overlords. Because of this, they loved to hear tales of how the insignificant sparrow triumphed over such powerful enemies as wolves, bears and eagles – the traditional symbols of nobility and those who mistreated the peasants.

It was a strange half-hour, sharing a room with a desperate little bird, seeing up close its patterned brown feathers and shiny eye. It reminded me of just how extraordinary creation is. I hope it lives.

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