Perspectives

A greyish-black raven slowly and rather clumsily touched down and perched itself on top of a balcony ledge. Its feathers were all ruffled and grey, its beak worn down from constant and lengthened use. From its physical appearance, one could ascertain that it had grown old and weary, and had seen much in its long and certainly illustrious life (for a raven at the very least).

As the raven slowly looked around, taking in the scene that it was treated to from the ledge of the balcony, located on the topmost floor of the tower, a younger raven fluttered towards it and perched itself right next to him. It then began to converse with the old raven, in a language not quite comprehensible to a human mind.

“What are you doing here S-Revan?”, the young one spoke, for S-Revan was the old raven’s name.

“I’m simply taking in the view young one. Sitting here has always reminded me how much everything has changed as time has flown by. It stirs bittersweet emotions within me, for I feel grateful for having lived so long to see the change occur, but also great sorrow, as I’m reminded of the days of old and am made to miss them.

“Things have changed? How so? I have never witnessed any change here in this land throughout my entire life, at least not any that I have observed.”

“You haven’t lived long enough to have seen it occur, young one.”, S-Revan replied, “Your feathers are still fresh and your beak is still sharp. The colour of your feathers has not faded yet. But I shall tell you, how much has changed.”

“I remember the days, nearly 25 years ago it was. I was as youthful, exuberant and passionate as you are now. My feathers as dark, my beak as sharp. During those days, this entire land was sheltered by the cover of trees, with a few clearer patches here and there. Many a bird would fly openly in the air, from sparrows to bulbuls, parrots to us crows and ravens. Our joyous cries could be heard from miles away. No structure lay in sight that could interrupt our flight. “

The young one remained in awe. “Do you mean to say that none of these unnatural towers existed during your early days?”

“No…They were raised much later. More so than that, the polluted water that you have grown up having witnessed, was clean and clear then. I remember, at times, the swans and cranes from up north would land near the lake nearby to quench their thirst. It was quite a sight indeed.”

“I remember many of my friends falling dead after drinking the water from that cursed lake.”, the young one spoke somberly. “Do you mean to say that same cursed lake was a paradise in your time?”

“Yes, it was. The skies too remained clear, save for the clouds that roam the skies. None of the unnatural clouds, which I believe is called smog, or the dust, or even the smoke existed to such an extent back then. One could breathe fresh clean air, rather than this foul, polluted, filth.”

The two birds remained in silence for a short while, as they now overlooked the concrete jungle that lay in front of them. The metal towers dominated the horizon as far as the two of them could see. The cursed lake could barely be seen, its naturally bluish waters ‘adorned’ by the human garbage, and diluted by the black, devilish substance released by the towers. As the younger one squinted his eyes, he could see the factories liberating their toxic ash and smoke, turning the skies grey, and blocking out the sunlight. Nothing of the ‘paradise’ S-Revan had alluded to could be seen.

As he comprehended the contrast between the old one’s words and the sight that confronted them at present, the young one eagerly asked, “Then when did everything change S-Revan? More importantly, why did everything change?”

“Oh, about 10 or 12 years prior, a couple of humans came and thought this land to be perfect to build one of their towers. Then more humans came, and more towers were built. They then set up factories that polluted the air, land and water. They brought their machines along with them and dumped their physical garbage wherever they could clear a space.”

“Humans, you don’t mean those freakish two-legged creatures that drive around in their round monstrosities and run over us animal folk without blinking an eye or shedding a tear.”

“Yes, I mean those very creatures.”

“I have heard that they constantly complain about us ruining and tarnishing the cleanliness of their homes and disturbing their peace while they do the same to ours. Oh, the irony of it. But tell me, why would they do such a thing?”, the young one asked, his anger coursing through his veins. But S-Revan replied in his calm and stately manner.

“I’m sure in their minds, they were justified. They probably thought they were doing what was best for them, taking care of their own kind, never stopping to take into consideration other points of view. In their desire to build a paradise for themselves, they probably failed to realise that they were destroying the paradise of others. I’m sure we would do the same, given that same position. Power and greed blind all after all.”

“How can you see it from their perspective S-Revan, and how can you compare us to those filthy creatures? We would never commit such atrocities against nature, or others.”, the young one screamed, “How can you justify their actions? Don’t you feel any anger for them? Surely you do?”.

“At times, but then I remind myself to maintain perspective. You know, having lived for so long, it is only natural to observe your environment change, and while that might make you sad, or angry, it is simply the nature of the universe to change. And with that comes the realisation that no matter the anger one feels, one cannot battle against the universe. Besides, I have trust in that whatever wrongs the humans have done, they cannot escape the universe’s judgements, as is true for us all.”

“Yes, I understand, but I will never forgive them, nor will I ever sympathise with them.”, the young one replied indignantly.

“That is your choice. I’ve made my peace with it. But anyhow, let us bring this topic to rest. The daylight continues to fade, and we must make a shelter to avoid the monsoon rain that will inevitably fall tonight. So let us make haste.”, and saying this the old raven slowly fluttered away.

The younger one remained at the balcony ledge for but a moment to catch his breath. “I’ll never forgive them.”, it angrily reiterated to itself, before it too flew away.