Each morning I awake to the joyful warbling of our Magpies, singing out from the tree tops. :) It's a song I have heard all of my life, part of the Australian bush sound.
A small item in the newspaper told of how these birds mourn the death of their mates - other magpies - by observing the dead corpse and then flying down and placing wreaths of grass near the body. :giverose:
I knew that animals elephants etc can be compassionate, but this to me is amazing. We have such a lot to learn about the creatures we live with and our God who created them with the capacity to feel as we do.
Tessa
Awww, thanks for that insight, Tessa. This earth holds some of the most amazing creatures, and humans aren't even near the top of the list! One year we had a Canadian goose hanging out in our garden... I didn't understand why, but my hubby knew something must be wrong with it or it would be with the rest of the flock. We left it alone and sure enough, the flock would 'check up' on him from time to time. It was about a week before he regained his strength to fly - we didn't know what afflicted him, maybe a wing injury? - whatever it was we were just glad to know he was able to heal. His flock returned for him and that time he was able to head out with them and take his place in their familiar V pattern flying formation. I thought that was so cool that his friends didn't just leave him behind, but forsook the strong urge to migrate in order to watch over one of their troubled own.:grouphug: They didn't care about being late to their destination!
Many birds mate for life, which I find extraordinary. Barn swallows do - it made me cry to watch one swoop furitively over the road where his mate lay dead. He was trying to fend off the rushing cars and protect her - even though she'd died... it was the saddest thing... I wonder how long he stayed there hoping she'd join him again in the skies. :(
I know many argue that death is the natural cycle of things - but to me it will forever be the most UNnatural thing. I don't like it. I look so forward to a time when "death will be no more" - in all ways and in all facets of 'the real life'.
:huh:Way to go, Tessa - now you've got me teary-eyed and sniffing thinkin' about the birdies!:cry: Lol, :crybaby:
:hug:Love to you dear sister - someday I hope to hear the lovely sound of warbling magpies with you, up close and personal.:friends:
"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Luke 12:6
Psalm 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and winged fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
:peace:
I had a sort of similar experience a few years ago.
We did what we could to help a dog which was not particularly well treated - actually was starving - and she grew to trust us.
She had pups and settled down in her owners shed under cover to care for them. Then one day I heard a squeaking noise, as if someone was rubbing a stain off a window pane. I turned and saw the dog had carried one of her very young pups half a mile to us, and placed the pup down infront of us. We picked up the pup and the mother had a look of such delight in her eyes, almost human! So trusting! We took them both back to the owner, but three times in two days this loving doggy carried the same pup a half mile in her mouth to us! You can imagine we were moved to tears!
Acts5v29:redface: