The Open Door

The Open Door

Everybody knows that during the summer when you go outside or come back inside, make sure you shut the screen door to the porch. Everybody knows that. At least they should know that. It was a mild day outside, but inside it was stuffy. So I decided to go out and have breakfast on the porch. I was observant of the rules and made sure I shut the door when I went out. 

On returning though, since it was rather stuffy inside, I decided to leave the door open to let some of that fresh outside air come in. What I also did, unknowingly, was also leave the screen door open. Big mistake. 

After entering my dining area through the patio, I left that room and was not to return for about 45 minutes. At some point, it did dawn on me to check on the door. On seeing it wide open, I gasped, for there in my dining room were not bees, or mosquitoes, or other pests, though they might have been there, but 4 totally unwanted guests.

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Being a mother peahen is hard work. And raising these 3 baby peafowls makes it even harder. I need to have some time for myself, but no matter where I go, the three howling “feed me’s” are there right behind me. The human that lived nearby was nice to me, occasionally left me food and water, allowing me a little rest as the chicks ran around her porch. But then, she did an even better kindness. She invited me into her home. I mean she left the door open, so she must have wanted me there. As I walked into the house, a plan emerged. Let the children follow me and then she can watch them while and I could take a well-needed rest. So that is exactly what I did. 

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I was amazed when I saw the 4 birds enter my house, the noise that they created was quite loud. As I approached the mother hen, the young ones scattered further into the house. The mother appeared to bow to me and then left, the way she came. Did you ever try to catch 3 rambunctious, loud baby peafowl who have just found a new environment to explore, with their mother nowhere in sight? Unfortunately for me, the last place that these runabouts wanted to go was through the door to the outside. I’d like to say it was easy and they just headed out towards their mother, but she was not to be seen. I ended up having to capture each one at a time, pick them up by their scrawny necks and toss them outside. They finally all were gone and let me make this clear, I will never leave my door open again. Everybody should know that.

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My chicks seemed to just fly out of the house one at a time and run back up to me. It was a good rest. Unfortunately, we were never invited back again. I guess I should have stayed a little longer to help her with the chicks before I left, but everybody knows, sometimes, you have to take time out for yourself.