30/12/2023
The night was dark and cold. It was the last day of the year, and the humans were preparing to celebrate with firecrackers. They did not care about the noise and the pollution they caused. They did not care about the animals and the birds who lived in fear and pain.
On a tall tree, there was a small nest. It was the home of a bird family. There was a father bird, a mother bird, and two baby birds. They were happy and peaceful. They loved each other and their cozy nest.
But they knew that tonight was going to be different. They knew that the humans would light up the sky with firecrackers. They knew that the loud bangs and the bright flashes would scare them and hurt them. They knew that their nest could catch fire and burn.
They had seen it happen before. They had seen other birds lose their homes and their lives. They had seen the smoke and the ashes. They had heard the cries and the screams.
They wished they could fly away. They wished they could find a safe place. But they had nowhere to go. They had no other home. They had to stay and hope for the best.
The father bird was brave and strong. He decided to protect his family and his nest. He told his wife and his children to stay inside the nest. He told them to cover their ears and close their eyes. He told them to trust him and love him.
He spread his big wings and covered the nest. He made a shield with his feathers and his body. He was ready to face the firecrackers.
The night came and the humans started their celebration. They lit up the firecrackers and threw them in the air. They laughed and cheered and clapped. They did not notice the birds and the animals who suffered and cried.
The firecrackers exploded in the sky. They made loud noises and bright lights. They rained down sparks and flames. They filled the air with smoke and dust.
The father bird felt the heat and the shock. He felt the pain and the fear. He felt his wings burn and his body bleed. He felt his life fade and his strength fail.
But he did not give up. He did not move. He did not let go. He held on to his family and his nest. He held on to his love and his hope.
He prayed for the night to end. He prayed for the firecrackers to stop. He prayed for his family to survive. He prayed for his nest to remain.
He did not know if his prayers were heard. He did not know if his sacrifice was worth. He did not know if his story would be told. He did not know if his memory would be kept.
He only knew that he did his best. He only knew that he did what he had to do. He only knew that he was a protective bird and a loving father. He only knew that he was a hero.
But he was not enough. He could not stop the firecrackers. He could not save his family. He could not save his nest.
He heard a loud bang and saw a bright flash. He felt a sharp pain and a sudden heat. He smelled a burning smell and a choking smoke.
He opened his eyes and saw his nest on fire. He saw his wife and his children in flames. He saw their feathers and their flesh melt. He saw their eyes and their mouths open. He saw their tears and their blood.
He screamed and cried. He tried to reach them and help them. He tried to put out the fire and save them. He tried to hug them and love them.
But it was too late. They were gone. They were dead.
He felt his heart break and his soul shatter. He felt he would die and his hope would vanish.
He gave up. He let go. He closed his eyes.
He died.
