Photo Copyright: Roger Bultot
Here we are for another week. Today we’ve gathered in a virtual yard near some virtual telephone lines on which pigeons have gathered. Our hostess for this group meeting is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We’re the Friday Fictioneers group. Our challenge this week and every week is to each write an original story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by Roger Bultot. Thanks, Roger.
To read the other stories by the group, just click on the link given below, then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for this week’s stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/05/04/6-may-2016/
Genre: Nonfiction Humor
Word Count: 100 Words
WHERE THERE’S A WILL by P.S. Joshi
Pigeons have historically been great message carriers. Having had a mother pigeon build a nest on our window ledge and raise her young, I can understand why they got the messages through despite shot and shell.
I have never in my life seen an animal so determined as a pigeon, especially the female of the species.
We have to keep bedroom windows closed because I fought a losing battle to remove nest material.
I finally gave in to the bathroom ledge. Mother pigeon no sooner raises one brood than she lays a couple more eggs. It’s a manic production line.
I’ve got to admit, pigeons can be the most persistent of birds. My garden was colonised by them for at least a couple of years… and then came the starlings. Nicely done Suzanne.
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Thanks, Sandra. I’m so pleased you liked the story. We have other, bigger birds around related to the cuckoo family, plus crows. I have a feeling that’s why we aren’t overrun by pigeons. Mother pigeon found a good place to build her nest on the inner part of the building. It’s when her offspring get out in the open there’s no doubt a problem. —- Suzanne
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I like this, a very determined mama bird.
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Thanks, CAH. Yes, she never gave up. I’m so happy you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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To my cost I understand, thinking we were being kind we let a pair roost & bring up their young only to discover the same as you… they take advantage of kindness! Now my home is surrounded with chicken wire to deter them from returning. Now I have them constantly try to rip it up. I hope you keep your sanity. 😆
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That sounds like a more serious problem than we have. She doesn’t give a problem just on the bathroom window as there’s a screen and they can’t get in. They made a mess in the bedroom on that sill even though there was a screen. I hope your plan works. — Suzanne
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Thank you 😆
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Lovely story! Those pigeons are determined little things 🙂
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They certainly are. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A well told story, Suzanne. Mega hugs!
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Thanks, Teagan. I’m happy you enjoyed the story. Mega hugs in return. 🙂 — Suzanne
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You have to admire their persistence. If I were a pigeon I’d be looking to hire Fedex to deliver my messages.
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Thanks, Perry. Yes, you have to admire them for fighting onward. I can just see a pigeon hiring Fedex. Hilarious. I wonder if there’s ever been a Farside cartoon of it. 😀 — Suzanne
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We had to put a wire netting but they were still very persistent. As they say where there is a will there is a wail. Looks like the bird had the final say.
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Thanks, Subroto. You might say at our home there was a compromise. They got possession of the small bathroom ledge instead of the bedroom ledge. 😀 — Suzanne
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I haven’t had experiences with pigeons, although, when i was a kid, we found a heron’s nest in our attic. They are beautiful birds (big ones, too) but I couldn’t understand why they came to our house and kept a nest. In fact, they seemed pretty quiet the whole time they were there. Thanks for sharing this, Suzanne. 🙂
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Thanks, Kent. I’m also surprised you had herons, although storks nest in chimneys in some parts of the world. We had a raccoon in the attic of a house where we lived. He was a big guy and not quiet or friendly. He finally left and didn’t come back. He got in through a broken vent near the roof. We had some eco-friendly fellows come with a cage and a treat to see if they could catch him. The didn’t catch him, but they did catch an opossum. 😀 — Suzanne
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Yeah, I catch them in a cage and release them in the woods. My folks live on ten acres of wild land. The last one I caught? That little guy did NOT want out of the cage until I left. Kept hissing at me.
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That’s great, Kent, you have a place to release them. Though, you’re possibly catching the same ones over and over. Once they’re used to being near people and a trash can, etc., they’re probably spoiled for living in the woods. 😀 — Suzanne
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Yup.
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Humor, information and insight!
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Thanks, Spiced. I’m so pleased I accomplished all that and you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Stubborn little creatures, those. No wonder Cher Ami was a hero…or heroine as it turns out. 😉 Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m so pleased you liked the story. Yes, carrying messages in wartime played to their strengths. 😀 — Suzanne
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They are actually very smart birds. I remember watching a documentary on them and was amazed…You have a determined mama on your hands!
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Thanks, Dale. I didn’t realize they were that smart, but I guess they would have to be to carry messages to the right destination. Yes, she certainly is determined–single-minded you might say. 😀 —- Suzanne
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haha. I find that last line about massive production line hilarious 🙂
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Thanks, Ansumani. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. It’s true. It’s true. She just keeps turning out pigeons. I’m just glad people don’t have kids that grow and leave home that quickly. We wouldn’t have room on the planet to move. 😀 — Suzanne
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pigeons do deliver. we should admire their tenacity until they start dropping poops everywhere. 🙂
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Thanks, Plaridel. I’m so pleased you liked the story. I know what you mean. They can make an awful mess. They also shed feathers. Somehow they get into the house. We have screens and I still find a few that got in. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I find it amazing how many broods they can raise in a year. The little boogers grow fast, then Mama kicks ’em out of the nest and starts over. I guess it’s a good thing they don’t have to nuture them for 30 years like people do.
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Thanks, Russell. That’s exactly right. Their progress is amazing. And even before they leave the nest they’re quarreling. I don’t know how doves got the “peaceful” reputation. Talk about sibling rivalry. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Great story, Suzanne. No wonder they are such a successful species. We’ve had blackbirds nesting in a ficus on our balcony until the magpies came and robbed the nest. We also had swallows nest under the roof, and put up a board under the nests to direct the droppings away from the window sills.
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Thanks, Gah. I know. Birds are nice to have around but can leave a mess. They’ve never learned to clean up after themselves. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Pigeons sure breed a lot. Pigeon poop has been blamed for deadly Minnesota bridge collapse.
Nice one. 🙂
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Thanks, Yarnspinnerr. I can believe it would accumulate in time and be corrosive. As to a bridge collapse, I’d have to see the proof that it wasn’t due to wear and tear or poor engineering. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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They are a production line alright and certainly know how to succeed and keep succeeding.
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Thanks, Mick. You sound like you’ve experienced tackling the pigeon problem. 😀 — Suzanne
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Your next instalment might be the visitation of Fido the Cat. Do keep reporting. Mike
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Thanks, Mike. Probably not as we live three stories up. Fido would have to scale the side of the building. That I’d like to see. 😀 — Suzanne
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What mama pigeon wants mama pigeon gets! That would be frustrating, but I guess she worked for that ledge. I really enjoyed your story. Nice one, Suzanne.
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Thanks, Amy. Happy Mother’s Day. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. You’re right, she worked for that ledge and got what she wanted. 😀 — Suzanne
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Great story for mother’s day!
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Thanks, Dawn. Happy Mother’s Day. I’m so happy you liked the story. You’re right, it is a good story for Mother’s Day. I honestly didn’t think about that when I wrote it but it worked out well. 😀 — Suzanne
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I have heard of pigeons being likened to rat with wings… and I can easily see a potential in messenger rats for the same reason. Great story.
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Thanks, Bjorn. My daughter told me that’s what they call pigeons in Chicago–rats with wings. Rats might make good messengers as they’re smart. My daughter had a white rat as a pet one time. He was a lovely little animal and didn’t bite. Their life span isn’t very long, though. We had a love bird who lived for many years, so pigeons are probably more practical. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Busy birds you have there. Fun.
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Thanks, Patrick. Actually, “busy” doesn’t do them justice. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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I would like to have the persistence of a pigeon sometimes…like today. 🙂
Lily
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Thanks, Lily. That would probably help all of us in some way. I’m happy you liked the story. 😀 — Suzanne
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Great story, direct and to the point while getting your point across.
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Thanks, Connie. I’m so happy you liked the story. That mother pigeon is certainly determined. 😀 — Suzanne.
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