Chapter 5 Maternal incentive

Somewhere in this immense jungle lived a nightingale as beautiful as talented. He had built his nest at the top of a tree because he wanted to experience the irresistible sensation of believing he was residing at the top of the world. And from there, he could contemplate the infinite horizons without end. That's why every morning at sunrise, he let his wings transport him in the blue of this firmament. He was a magnificent creature, perhaps the most beautiful of this forest loved by all, his beauty equaling even that of this luminous morning painting.

He had friends, many friends, and went to join them as often as he could, carefree and superficial, thinking of nothing else but this world of happiness and unconsciousness in which he was immersed, this life of privilege and clarity that was offered to him at birth and that was more than enough, in the adoration of all. But, this blessed existence of largesse was to be altered one day when a deformed being, different from all the others, entered his life.

One day, the nightingale and his friends, having a great time, wandered off without realizing where they were, so when they realized this, instead of returning, they decided to take the boldness even further by flying until fatigue forced them to rest. The beautiful nightingale stopped last, he caught his breath on a branch with large leaves, then it took him a moment to notice the presence of this strange animal that was observing him in a strange way.

- Who's there?" he asked, suspicious but mostly annoyed.

But no answer came to him.

- Who are you?" he added.

But the little stran ger continued to remain in the shadows. Then the nightingale shrugged his shoulder and was about to fly away to change his place when finally the strange animal decided to emerge from its corner. Then at the sight of it, the nightingale uttered a cry of horror, and his friends who joined him and in turn, alerted by the cry of their dear friend, became even more offended at the sight of this unknown. He was so frail and bony, his night-black plumage was of such a bad nature that it accentuated his thinness even more. They were all shocked at this desolate sight. So shocked that they wasted no time in running away as fast as they could, as if staying one more minute in the presence of this strange and cursed being could affect their beauty. But the stranger, despite his fragility, had the strength to hold back the nightingale. The latter, at first surprised, struggled, filled with a feeling of horror at his touch.

- Do you want to be my friend? asked the singular creature again as if nothing had happened.

Although fear possessed him, the words penetrated the skin of the beautiful bird, but did not prevent him from opening his majestic wings and leaving as soon as the black animal would release him. Besides, thinking back, he did not hurt him, he was unable to do so, and the nightingale knew it. His delicate little claws, holding him weakly, he only wanted to prevent him from leaving, to keep him a moment to tell him his wish. It was as obvious as day. But our nightingale left all the same. He returned home immediately, but he could not help thinking tirelessly about that little animal and his selfless prayer.

From that moment on, the free-hearted nightingale lost his peace of mind. He was soon haunted, overwhelmed by the brief memories of this animal that had only touched his life for a minute.

Our nightingale tried in vain to remain the carefree bird that he was, laughing at the lightest thing, seeing his world in a bright pink. However this sentence came back in his mind, obsessing him until the dreams. That clear and pathetic voice, which only wanted the light. He rejected it until a crack appeared on the surface of his heart.

One day, while hanging out with his friends as usual, he didn't pay attention and lost sight of them. He went looking for them when a leaf revealed a familiar body. He immediately recognized this mediocre but dignified stature.

The nightingale stopped in surprise, he never expected to find him at home. They looked at each other in a deep and meaningful silence. The others came in their turn. The intruder took his courage in both hands and approached them.

- Can I play with you?" he asked shyly.

The quality of his voice matched perfectly with the shape of his poor body, weak and unattractive. The nightingale didn't know what to say, but his friends were already sure of their decision. They laughed until fatigue overcame their hilarity.

- What! exclaimed the one who claimed to be the nightingale's best friend. My advice, look at your reflection in the water, if you dare. That alone will explain to you the reason why you would never be part of our world.

Then after a last contemptuous look they left.

- Come, they asked the beautiful nightingale, who after a time of reflection, nodded and spread his wings.