Envy and desire

An written illustration of envy and desire.

Envy and desire

 

 

A pigeon was flapping its wings in the evening air. The sunset was blazing like an explosion in the sky. Tired of flying, the pigeon decided to take respite. It spotted a large windowpane with no sharp or cutting objects and reached it as fast as it could, flying over the buildings. A child stared greedily at the pigeon’s head. The fat little girl opened the window as the pigeon flew away.

 

  “What are you doing Sweetie…” asked her mother, just arriving in the room.

 

  “I saw a pigeon with a precious stone on its head…”, said the fat girl.

 

  “That’s…You’re such a dreamer…”, said the mother, before heading for the kitchen.

 

  The girl ran towards the kitchen.

 

  “Mommy…Am I that fat?”, she asked her mother.

 

The pigeon was now eating grains next to an old beggar, who was staring blankly at the jeweled bird. The beggar, pouncing like a tiger, jumped on his feet and plunged to catch the pigeon, envy in his eyes. But to no avail. The pigeon was already far away. The beggar broke into tears and cursed God, slapping the dirty ground with his cap. Passersby stood at the scene before going on their way. As night came crawling, the diamond shone twice as bright on the pigeon's forehead. At a distance, the bird looked like a street light. Dogs barked at the distant red shining light, causing the pigeon to fly to the top of a building. The pigeon heard footsteps coming from a metal door, before hearing knocks on the metal.

 

  “You f*****g cops, you…I didn’t steal nothing…I tell you, I never…”, shouted the man.

 

  “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will be used against you”, said the policemen, handcuffing the man, who broke into silent tears.

 

After some time, the pigeon, disturbed by the noise and the cries, flew over to the next building, flying past the police car flashing red lights in the narrow dark streets. The captured man took a last look at the night sky and spotted what he thought was a red star.

 

The pigeon was perched on the balustrade of a balcony. It could hear music coming from the window. The music ceased. The woman who was playing on the black piano got up as a man entered the room. She went up to him and slapped him. The man slapped her back.

 

  “I hate you! Who was it tonight?... I wish I had never met you!”, she shouted to her man, who seemed emotionless.

 

  Her knees went to the floor. She broke into tears.

 

  Below the balcony, a child was looking at a toy shop.

 

  “I want that Spiderman figure” said the boy.

 

  “No Peter” responded the father.

 

  “But I want it” insisted the capricious boy.

 

  The rain started falling, first drizzling, then in heavy drops.

 

  “I wish it wasn’t raining…I  left my umbrella at home”, said an old man, who took shelter in the nearest bar.

 

  As the father entered his flat with Peter, he closed the door and turned the television on with great haste.

 

  “Oh s**t! 2-1! How can Manchester lose against the Spaniards!” shouted the father.

 

  He shouted like a hooligan for the rest of the football game.  

 

  The television set went off. The screen went black.

 

“What’s going on Dad…” asked the boy, as he was walking down the stairs, looking very tired.

 

 

 

The pigeon was now flying towards the horizon, taking the hopes and wishes of all the unsatisfied with him.