It was the onset of blazing hot summer.The initial days of April, the boy was super excited for the new session, new books, new friends and the upcoming summer vacation.The rising temperature in the afternoons ensured the most of the masses remained indoors without any urgent business or regular work.Most of the schools following the government directives formulated their timings.The kids returned home before afternoon.Being an ardent nature lover, Papon started keeping food and water from the moment he understood their importance for the winged creatures.He has been closely following his father, the way he treated his each patient with care and his mother Aparjita who used to feed the the stray dogs during their night walk.
Papon grew up in the company of his dog sister Roxy, a Labrador whom they adopted from a rescue center when he was 5 year old.People visited Mrinal, a veterinarian with the government hospital at all odd hours with their animals and birds suffering from aliments.The young boy used to watch in awe the different sorts of living entities flocking the outhouse which used to serve as a temporary consulting room.But the only animal unhappy with the whole hullabaloo was Roxy.She often was discovered sulking under farthest corner of bed.
Birds used to flock for a quick dip followed by a short visit to the food tray. Papon used to watch silently, he noticed two birds who visited the feeding tray religiously without fail.With passage of time, both the parties got used to each other’s presence.A special affection took its birth for the duo in his little heart, he named the lean and small white breasted,black wings, red crowned Lin the stunner and the robust male as Rex.He took extra care to keep the water tub filled as Lin loved to take multiple dips.They lived nearby on the transformer pole, their nest was quite visible from the terrace,which their little provider often visited in the evening.
On a fateful Sunday, the temperature tipping 45 degree, the scornful heat forced everyone to take refuge in front of their desert coolers, A.C. and fans.But they provided little relief despite working overtime. Papon witnessed bright sparks in the transformer pole and then a sudden loud explosion,the fan stopped working.But what terrified the kid was the sight of his aerial friend’s home going up in flames and the lovely Lin landing on the ground injured and the male was shrieking loudly to draw attention.He ran towards the spot accompanied by his father eyes streaming, pain writ all over his face gathered Lin carefully in his hands. Mrinal did the necessary aid and gave his son directives regarding her care and bedding. A temporary bed was made for the pair in the cardboard box lined with dry grass in the balcony.Roxy was very curious about the new guests but didn’t made a fuss after detecting her boy’s sadness and concern.
A fortnight passed in between ,Lin much recovered was ready to take flight. Papon introduced his aerial friends to their new home which they accepted after a thorough inspection and long discussions.Their caregiver was very delighted at the sight.This incident triggered him to think of a long term solution for the issue at hand.He can’t let the other winged creatures meet such the same fate.
After many serious conversations with his father and few of his father’s friends who worked in the area of bird conservation, he incorporated the necessary changes in the prototype. He pooled in all his savings, the cash gifts he got during his birthdays and festivals. Using all the resources he made few more prototypes. He named it #TheAerialabode and disturbed few among his friends.
He took up the issue with his neighbourhood friends urged them to keep food and water for the birds. After a visit to his home and numerous queries about Rex and Lin, they got quite excited about the whole thing. As the birds started taking refuge in the installed abodes, the news too started spreading far and wide. Many parents persuaded by their wards enquired about the prototype and its cost.Mrinal hired a professional help to get them made at a minimal charge as the demand exceeded far beyond their expectation.Now most of the houses in the residential area displayed a favourable spot for the little ones.
When the school opened and Papon talked about the issue with his friends, juniors and seniors with the help of his faculty. He got a great response from there too and installed a prototype in the school garden. Soon many orders poured in and his work got applauded by the School and local dailies.
Papon on the other hand clueless about the revolution he has set in and the way it has become a sensation was happy bringing a positive change in the lives of his feathered friends.
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