The sparrow who broke the ice

Yes, it is true. It is impossible to estimate the time it will take to reach Bengaluru airport. You either reach early or reach late, it all depends on the unpredictable traffic conditions and who wants to miss a flight?

So, like several others, last Thursday, I reached relatively early and was nursing a cup of coffee in my cold hands and watching the world go by and checking my emails as well (in short, multi-tasking as usual).

Suddenly a sparrow zoomed down, right in the middle of the Barista Cafe outlet, hopped beneath a table and helped himself to a few crumbs. He was a cocky sparrow, like most males of any species. He then hopped on my table (and I swear) peeked into my laptop screen.

In short, the sparrow broke the ice.

People sitting on different tables smiled at each other and began to talk to each other. A techie going to Chennai who had a scowl on his face while he punched furiously at his blackberry shared a few crumbs from his cookie with this sparrow who was now joined by his wife (the sparrow's wife). The person sitting opposite me, native of Belgium, but now spending his time between India (his current place of business) and Portugal (his holiday home country) began to talk to me. Incidentally, TOI had reported just that day on how sparrows were becoming more scare because of increasing use pesticides. We realised we shared several common interests including photography, writing and blogging and perhaps may continue to keep in touch.

A little girl travelling with her Dad, shyly came across to my table, fascinated by both the sparrow and my laptop. Hopefully, after our little chat, she will never keep a caged bird as a pet.

And all it took for a bunch of sour irritated human beings to smile again were two tiny sparrows. Now I don't mind bearing the long distance drive to the new airport. The sparrows make it worthwhile.

The above photograph is taken from wikimedia.org