The Owl & The Hummingbird

Once upon a time, the owl and the hummingbird were lovers. As we all know, the owl is active at night but sleeps in the morning. The hummingbird is the exact opposite, flitting among flowers by day and returning to her nest when night arrives. Yet, in spite of their differences, they loved each other dearly and spent as much time together as they possibly could in the early hours of dawn.

There was only one potential problem. The hummingbird disliked birds who killed other animals that were not part of the natural food chain. Back in those days, the owl only hunted rats, helping farmers to control these pests. The owl knew that the hummingbird did not want him to hunt chickens, which were a source of livelihood for the farmers. He solemnly promised her that he would never kill chickens. Happily trusting him, the hummingbird never once questioned his promise...

...until one day, when she discovered some chicken remains in his nest. She confronted him and he immediately confessed that rats were scarcer recently, so he resorted to taking some chickens from the nearest farm. However, he assured her that he took only enough chickens to satisfy his hunger. Heartbroken, the hummingbird felt betrayed.

Bit by bit, the hummingbird found out more about his habit. It had been going on for almost a year. Shocked that she never realized this change and that he could keep it from her for so long, the hummingbird was crushed. She contemplated breaking off their relationship. Yet, she loved the owl very much and she knew that besides this recent discovery, their relationship had been almost perfect.

The owl promised her that he would stop hunting chickens immediately. Although she did not trust him as much as before, she decided to forgive him. Soon, she forgot about the incident and they became closer than before. The hummingbird innocently believed that the owl had successfully changed his habits..

.. but she should have known that it was too good to be true. Within half a year, she came across evidence to the contrary. The hummingbird was devastated. The owl again confessed, and explained that it was difficult for him to immediately stop hunting chickens, because his hunger was intolerable. He promised that he would stop when rats were more abundant, but for now, there was nothing he could do.

The hummingbird reacted more calmly this time. She did not threaten to leave the owl, instead she accepted his explanation and reassured him that she understood his situation.

Yet, the hummingbird was beginning to realize that things will never change, not even in the future when there may be more rats. She knew that she will never see him hunting chickens at night, but that she would get very upset everytime she finds some evidence about his hunting activities.

She wondered if getting upset once in a while is a worthy reason for leaving the owl.

She wondered if the relationship would ever be mended again, if there was always an issue of trust hanging in the air.

She wondered if she will ever trust him to keep a promise again.

She wondered what else he might be hiding from her, and she knew that she might never find out, given his skill at covering up his tracks.

She wondered if she should give up, if there might be some other bird out there who was more suited for her.

She wondered if she should expect the owl to change for her.

She wondered if she was expecting too much.

She wondered and she wondered.. and still she did not know what to do...

(continued in The Eagle & The Hummingbird, March 7)