"Consider this," said the ring-eye to the little-boy shrike, "after a bird is conceived, its embryo is encased inside a protective shell and develops outside its mother's body, unlike human babies, who must remain in a symbiotic relationship with their mothers for nine months, and then some. As a result birds grow up to become more independent, whereas humans can become over-attached to their parents, While we are instinctively bonded to our fellow -birds, we live in complete freedom and are able to migrate wherever we want. And, when we die, there is no need for burial. Nature swallows us once again into Herself. Therefore, it is Nature who is our true mother.
"We have no need for intricate housing, for clothing, or for sophisticated shelter from storms. When we speak we cheerfully sing, unless we are fighting as humans do. Yet, like humans, each one of us is devoted to the one love of our life, as I am devoted to my female Dreamer Bird, and she, to me. Our greatest emotion is love We are capable of jealousy. We are also capable of fighting to the finish for whomever we love. Should I never be reunited with my loved one, I shall be happy to die alone. That is the way she also feels about me."
The ring-eye finished up with its packet by tying round it a measure of sewing thread. It beaked the packet over to the little-boy shrike. "Now give this to her," the ring-eye instructed the young shrike, "and wish her a Happy Hatchday for me." The shrike thanked him for the millet malt, took the packet, and flew from the condominium tower balcony all the way across the compound to the the small loggia. The female Dreamer Bird was still very much wide awake and had already lit the lantern outside her cage. There was a soft drizzle. The blue flame within the lantern glowed as though through a halo of tiny, falling stars.
The female Dreamer Bird took her beloved's packet into her bedroom and pecked it open. Inside was a miniature, silver charm. The ring-eye had folded a note along with it:
"My dearest,
"Enclosed is a small treasure that I've been keeping a long time. It is a symbol of the stars I see in the night sky from my cage on the balcony. I talk to them whenever I think of you. I know that we shall be able to fly side by side to be with the stars some time soon."
She wore the chain round her neck and swore to never take it off her.
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