Today while walking back to my home from the dentist, I encountered a dove on the sidewalk. I didn’t think much of it until I realized that something about its movement wasn’t right. It was moving around in circles while nibbling on the ground every so often as if looking for food.
I took a closer look and noticed that its eyes were injured and completely impaired. It also seemed unresponsive to my presence. I tried getting its attention by talking but to no avail. I felt pity for the dove as I realized how incapable of survival it was in its current state, unable to see or orientate itself.
Feeling as I did, I decided to provide it with anything I could. I ran over to the mini market situated across the street and came back out with a chocolate cookie with the intent of feeding the dove. Sure enough, it was still circling around aimlessly at the same spot I found it. I took a small piece of the cookie and threw it in its way. The dove completely ignored my offering as it kept on its ill-defined path.
I kept cutting out pieces and throwing them in front of it, hoping that one of its random nibbles connects with the delicacy. I felt hope drain as I tried to come up with a way to help the indifferent bird. So I cut out a bigger piece of the cookie and brought it to the dove’s beak. It stopped dead in its tracks while I outheld the cookie waiting for the dove to express interest in it. Only when I retreated did the dove move, returning to its usual path.
Hopeless, I gave it one more try before abandoning the task. Finally I turned and walked away, returning to my own, less-random path. As I walked away I did turn to check on the dove. It kept on walking in circles as if nothing had happened... Did it know anything happened? Did it realize that I tried to help it? Does it realize that it is in need of help or how terrible of a situation it is in? Maybe not. Maybe its better this way, to not be aware or have the burden that emotions bring along. What good does it do? It still has to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances. It still has to survive.
