When Sparrow Did Not Need a ‘Fancy’ Prefix Called Jack

Well, Well, do not get me wrong I do like the quirky Jack Sparrow and his swagger. In fact Pirates of the Caribbean was the first ever movie that I was ‘allowed’ to watch with a group of friends after much speculation and discussion at home (Ah! Memories ;)).

However, (Ladies! Stop thinking about Jack and his swagger) moving on, this space is for the pleasant little birdy called Sparrow. Actually I prefer the Telugu name ‘Pichki’ as it has a more homely ring to it. I was first introduced to Pichkis by my maternal grandmother who in an attempt to ensure that I eat properly would often take me to the balcony and feed me where these beautiful little things would pay us a visit and greet us with their friendly chirping.

While grandma would feed me she would tell me a mesmerizing tale about the Pichkis. The story unfolds against the canvas of a jungle where the families of a Pichki and a Crow used to reside. All through summer Pickhi would collect coarse dried vegetation to make a strong nest for the rainy season while the crow lazed around under the shade of the tree. Then there come a sudden rainy day, while the Pichki was snuggled up in the comfort of its nest she hears a loud knock on her door and much to her amazement she finds the crow and its family shivering with cold outside. The crow then asks for shelter and the Pichki very magnanimously allows the crow and its family to share its humble abode.

Learning its lesson the crow builds a nest of its own the next rainy season. Tragically the Pichki’s nest is hit by lightning and they are exposed to heavy rain. This is when Pichki decides to seek help from the crow. Upon reaching crow’s residence Pichki is met with huge disappointment and a sense of deep betrayal as the crow flatly refuses to provide shelter even to Pichki’s small kids leave apart her entire family. Pichki somehow survives the wrath of the night and decides to hunt for much stronger material for her nest.

Pichki relentlessly works through the next summer and builds a stronger nest. However this rainy season the crow’s nest is badly exposed and the crow goes running back to Pichki’s adobe only to find that Pichki is ever welcoming and non judgemental. At this moment Pichki emerges as the ideal hero with the moral that having a good character means someone who is nice to all irrespective of their behaviour towards you.

This story carved a special respect for Pichkis in my heart and my love for them grew manifold. However, sadly I do not see or hear much of my childhood friend these days. They are as good as non-existent in the metros as the hustle bustle has driven them away and are fast disappearing form the non-metros as well.

Reports suggest that this common bird is becoming uncommon by the day and this is a wake up call for all of us. Another particularly appalling online report states that Andhra alone has seen a sharp decline of 80% in the sparrow population in the last twenty five years. If in less then twenty years we have driven a bird to extinction we can imagine at what rate are we destroying our nature and environment around us and how irrevocably the ecological balance is being disrupted.

Citizen Sparrow Project and World Sparrow Day, celebrated on 20th March every year are some initiatives which work towards spreading awareness about this endangered bird. However I am engulfed by this fear that the next generation would not get to know this homely bird or worse that there only reference point would be Jack Sparrow when talked about Sparrow or Pichki. There is only so much we can do, so the next time this bird comes visiting you, do treat it well and let it know that it is loved and missed!