A Teachable Moment

Yesterday, I took our 7 year-old son to a small playground to climb monkey bars, run around, and make movies with his cool camera that "Nee-Nee and Pappy" bought for him. When we arrived, there was not a soul around, and I was anticipating a relaxing respite of basking in the afternoon sunshine in a quiet space.

When I went to sit down on a bench, I noticed a bird had gotten its one leg stuck between the wooden slots of the bench and was flailing around trying to get free. The bird's leg was wedged very tightly and was bleeding.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to free the bird's leg by using a small stick. I knew I could not just leave this bird there to die, while the crows and the hawks waited in the trees above licking their bird lips. I tried pouring some water between the slots of wood. That didn't work. So who do I call?

I called the Humane Society, and they told me they don't deal with wildlife rescue. They referred me to "Helping Hands" in the Poconos. They referred me to a woman who rescues eagles, and her husband told me there is no one locally who could help me and that I should try to help the bird myself. He instructed me to grab the bird with my hands and pour dishwashing liquid between the slots of the bench and the bird's leg would slip free. Well, just as I was about to get some soap (I had some hand wash in my car), a park maintenance man pulled up to empty the trash cans. I showed him the trapped bird and he went back to his truck and got a screwdriver. He was able to loosen the slots on the bench so the bird could free its leg and finally fly away into a nearby tree! Thank you!

I felt good that I did not leave the bird there to die. Our son felt good too. For me, there is a deeper meaning to this story than just helping a poor, trapped little birdie. I think it was a teachable moment which I used to show my child that there can be good results in life if you try to help. You can always figure out ways to help a living creature that's trapped because you care. The care you give to a helpless bird (or ... puppy) can also be extended to humans who are suffering. Yep.

Life can be really cruel, and sometimes people find themselves trapped, like the little bird with a bloody leg-- who would not stop fighting for his (or her) life. We shouldn't be afraid to do what we can do to help, if we believe that is the right thing to do-- even if there are menacing crows and hawks hovering, ready to pounce and devour.

Photo of trapped sparrow by Gianni Villa