It was a chilly morning of 14 January, 2009. A meeting of the Council of Birds in the New York Region is called to order. Seated as Chairperson was the great Sea Gull- a very experienced bird that has seen many a battle between birds and humans in their war for space. Heated arguments flew from all sides about the way human beings have usurped the air territory of birds making their lives more and more difficult to go around in search of food. “The demon like creatures - referring to air crafts, air balloons and other flying objects being sent by human beings have disturbed the lives of birds of all kinds, and we must give them a fitting reply”, shouted one senior member of a bird fraternity.
“Ok, what next- immediate action and future plans, if any, to make our voice heard by the human beings- any suggestions”, the Chairperson pushed for a strategy.
After some deliberations, a plan was hatched. It was decided to identify two birds having strong willingness to sacrifice themselves in their struggle to assume supremacy of air space. These two birds will move simultaneously from a vantage point, at an appropriate time so that they can bring down a demon air craft Flt 1549 scheduled to take off from LaGuardia Air port carrying over 150 human beings. These birds will attack the identified air craft by getting themselves sucked into the engine areas and thus bring down the entire air craft killing all the human beings there. Thereafter, a message owning responsibility for the fall of the air craft and the reasons therefore, will be sent to the aviation authorities so that the latter will review their plans and use the air space only in consultation with the Birds’ Council. Two young but mentally strong birds volunteered to take up the assignment.
The two gallant warrior birds, proud in getting identified for the great cause, took their position at an altitude and waited by making rounds over an area, for the identified air craft to come in line of their flight.
The Birds’ Council members were watching with bated breath for the outcome of their plan to teach a strong lesson to the human beings. Suddenly, some elder birds among the Council Members expressed deep concern about the decision taken and felt that more dialogue would be needed before any such drastic action. They also felt that killing more lives would not be the solution for their problems and their battle with human beings for use of air space. But, they also realized that it was quite late, as the sacrificing warrior birds have already moved to their positions and anytime they may bring down the plane coming in their path way. They felt that their only hope was to pray to God, the Almighty to do something to save them from the ignominy of such action. So, all the member birds started their prayers to God, the Almighty to give them a solution from the catastrophe.
Meanwhile, the two warrior birds with great valor flew into the engine areas of the air craft flying out of LaGuardia Air port. Both succeeded in getting sucked into the two huge engines of the massive air craft and became martyrs for their great cause. The Plane wobbled and suddenly started falling down at great speed. Mr. Sullenberger, affectionately called ‘Sully’, Pilot in Command was not able to think of any ways of preventing the disaster and he closed his eyes in resignation.
God listened to the appeal of the birds’ fraternity and appeared before them and assured them of help.
God, the Almighty, directed his Minister for Minds to stimulate the thought process of the Pilot in command and instruct him to maneuver the flight gently towards Hudson river and release the floating wings so that the air craft can land on water. God’s Command was flashed to the Pilot in a second and rest is history.
Moral of the story :
You, human beings, please be more sensitive to the lives of birds also as their livelihood depends upon their ability to fly in air and move around so that they can get their food for themselves and their family waiting at distant home-nests. See the goodness in them. Two of their lives are lost. Their sacrifice should not go in vain. So, structure your air routes in such a way as to make it livable for the birds too.
[1] written immediately after the incident took place and reproduced now
