Memories

When I was just a little boy, may be around 10-12 years old, as most usual kids would do, I play especially sling shots. At our province at Lanao del Norte, many kids there with me were trying to hit birds, We told each other that each one should get one bird. As decided, each searched for their own flying creature.

As for me, I searched near our cottage since it was surrounded my mangrove trees. Also, it is where birds were abundant. Fortunately, the tide was low and so I was able to search almost all of the trees. And then, I saw what I was looking for, a bird. It was just an ordinary bird flying around for a living; living in a nest with its mates and young ones. And so, being eager to fulfil the group’s desire, I still wanted the bird despite his situation. “Bam!” “Boom!” etc! So many times I had attempted to hit the poor yet swift little flying creature with my sling shot but still I was unable to do so. And finally, it got tired of flying and rested on the top most of a tree. And I, with my accurate measurement with a sling on my hand, aimed directly into the resting flying creature. Once I had my instinct fixed on the target, I had set free the rock that I was pulling and Bam! , it hits the bird’s wing. The bird got shocked and flew away but at that time, low and slow. I was very excited since it was my first hit. But a sudden surge of pity hit my feelings while viewing the poor bird trying very hard just to get away. I realize then what terror I just did to the creature. I knew he had a family to feed. Because of his family, he needed to escape badly or else he would end dead. I went away and lost sight if the bird bearing the conscience inside me as I turned and walked away.

As soon as my friends and I met at the rendezvous, it was only I whothat was not carrying a lifeless little flying creature. What was shocking to me at that time was most of my friends had picked off their birds’ feathers. It was really merciless. As for me, I met them with an empty hand. But I did not feel ashamed or lonely. I was proud because I was not able to waste a life co-existing with us. My friends were insulting me at that time for not hitting one. They told me “Banga-a jud nimu oi!” and “Unsa man imung kamot? Bayot?” and they were all laughing at me. I laughed with them too.

Once we were done, we went straight to our respective home and called it a day. I knew then that what my friends did was wrong. They stole away a life from a family. I knew then at that time, every life is special.