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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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LUNCH WITH A CROW
I recently had lunch with a crow. I had worked straight through the noon hour, and found myself hungry and irritable by mid-afternoon. So I went into town, performed my errands, grabbed a take-out lunch, and retired to my favorite bench to eat and watch the world go by. My attention, however, quickly focused on the crow who appointed herself to be my companion. Whatever I was eating looked better than her alternatives. So the impudent crow decided to intimidate me. She abruptly flew from a parking space to the top a sign by the sidewalk. When that failed to startle me into dropping some food, she made a series of clicking sounds in her throat while staring directly at me. Seeing that I was not easily intimidated, she then dropped from the top of the sign to the sidewalk below with a frantic flutter of wings. Staring at me as I continued to eat, the crow hopped toward me in a zig-zag pattern. I stamped my foot, sending her reeling back into the street. Again she hopped toward me; and again my sudden movements scared her into retreat. Next, the crow portrayed a charming little bird who deserved a treat. She coyly twisted her neck downward trying to hide her face and sang in a sweet, flirtatious voice. This went on for some time, although I did not relent. Then the crow suddenly began to caw in the shrill manner so common to her genus. No longer hopping, she stamped in a little temper tantrum which I was supposed to quell by sharing my lunch. Of course I laughed instead. Finishing my meal, I thanked the crow for her entertainment and went back to work. I hope I remember that her antics had little effect on my actions. Then when I'm tempted to try them on someone else, I'll recognize the futility before I even begin. * What tactics do you use to get your way? * Is your success rate satisfactory? * How do you feel when such tactics fail? * Are you willing to give up your drama today?
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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