Notes From Nature

Dear Sir Sparrow

Assalam alaikum

We shall not ask you how are you? We only wish to ask you where are you?
Years ago, you were to be seen everyday in our homes in the cities. Twigs collected by you would be seen scattered in our backyards indicating that your were nesting. But it has been ages since we heard your chirpy chatter. They call you house sparrow because you live close to us humans, mainly in roofs and holes in buildings, often in colonies. Equally at home in city centres and farmland, never far from man.

But it is sad that you have become a mystery bird at many localities in recent times. For years we objected to the permanent resident flock in our garden taking more than a fair share of food during the winter. But now weeks pass without a single example putting in an appearance. Why?
Your charming self with a brown back with black streaks, grey crown and cute beak is universally familiar. Eating a variety of seeds and grains, sometimes obtained from livestock feed or livestock droppings, you loved insects, spiders, and fruits in the summer. Earlier this was available to you in abundance, but now humans have become less generous. They shoo you away to eat the fruits themselves.

You love making your home in natural tree cavities at the edges of forest or building crevices, and in nest boxes located in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Yes! Now we get to know why you are not seen any longer in these bustling cities. That’s because man has started building towers and skyscrapers in every nook and corner of the city. So where on earth will poor you build your nest.
Malls where one is lured to shop and then hop to feast over a free pizza, have replaced those quaint old bungalows and ancient homes which used to be far more comfortable for you. Then widespread use of garden pesticides by us has resulted in an absence of insects needed by new-born sparrows. The disappearance of chickens in many farmyards and back gardens has reduced the availability of food for you.

Look how cruelly humans have pushed you away from your natural habitats. Then the forests have been encroached by us to build fancy townships with five star facilities.
Where do you fit into this chaos. Nowhere. Naturally, you flew away from us.
We humans had no right to push you away like this. For our own materialistic needs we did not care to worry about your safety.

Almighty Allah who created you has clearly mentioned the rights of all living creatures including birdies like you. He says that we humans should not treat you cruelly. The Prophet (Pbuh) was the most kind towards all living beings. But we seem to have taken nature, wildlife, greenery our forests our animals all for granted. We have not been moderate in our actions and usage of our wealth for our needs. That’s when nature’s fury surfaces and that’s how you little bird flew away.
But like they say Allah is the most powerful. He is able to do all things. So let us hope that better sense prevails over us humans and we become more gentle towards other living creatures around us including you.

So wherever you are dear sparrow, just try coming back to your rightful place that is around us in our backyards. We promise you shall get your share of grains and seeds. But just a caution-cities today are bustling with tunes from mobiles-that’s a new thing which helps us humans stay connected with each other, but what has happened is that these mobile guys have created hello tunes-resembling your perky chirp-it’s a sort of bad remix of your original cheep cheep. So don’t let that upset you because we all still love your original chirpy track and you have all rights to sue them for copying you and tell them not to mess around with nature. Hope to see you soon and have a great flight over our brand new half-built flashy flyovers!

With affection and prayers!