On the way to school, he drew my attention to a flock of swallows in the sky while waiting at the traffic juncture. It was a sight to behold. A long horizantal zigzag line of swallows that adorned the air- a stream of tiny dots at the backdrop of a clear light blue sky, trying to form a kolam pattern..It was a mesmerising view. And there were so many of them forming several Vs.
I was awestruck and commented, " Vow! How many of them in a single flock da!" He started raving about them immediately - "Amma! You'll be surprised to know that they can form a flock of as big as 3 cars!". "IS IT?" I asked, and continued, "You mean the size of an aircraft?". "Yes Amma, the size of a A380. Can you imagine?", the modulation in his voice evoking enthusiasm and astonishment.
Then he continued, "Do you know that actually starlings also use the airport runway to take off?" I laughed loud, "Deeeiii". "Real ma. True. True". The adoration for a supposed naughtiness still lingering in my voice, I asked playfully, "Won't they be hit by aircrafts?". "They can see all around them and are intelligent to protect themselves", he claimed. "Oh! Are they able to turn their heads 360degrees?" "No ma! Their eyes are on the sides of their face. They can see on their front, back and either sides.", He replied rather enthusiastically.
And continued, "Actually birds with eyes on their sides are very cute. Like starlings and robins. They are unlike owls who have their big eyes on the front". He cupped his palm in admiration, "they are ssssoooo cuuuute".
There we reached school and it was time for his new experience.
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