Birds of a Feather

Just for the message. No insult intended to any...

Birds of a Feather     by Sami Khalil

Flocks of variety-type birds attended a local mega church:

Pigeons, eagles, geese, ducks, swans, ravens, crows…

While they sat harmoniously yet jumbled together, listening to a said sermon one Sunday morning, facing an ornate altar, the charismatic preacher walked in to deliver his sermon.

They all stood up like a courtroom proceeding, then sat down anxiously waiting for their spiritual food. The preacher nodded to them to have a seat, then went on reading (as his habit was), beginning with the title of the sermon.

With his face behind several microphones, he eventually cleared his raspy voice, drank the living water placed on the podium and ventured to say: “Birds of a feather flock together.”

The birds thought highly of him, for his words were like that of God’s commandments; an instance, the call to the altar where they all did in obedience and comradery.

In this instance, as soon as the preacher read the title, they all took it as a proclamation within a powerful oration. They scrambled in a chaotic fashion to cluster themselves with their own variant kind. Now, you could see the eagles sitting with eagles, pigeons with pigeons and so forth.

They claimed, in other words their kind and their space. It looked harmonious but dangerous indeed; jostling for position, political influence, power struggle, justice and injustice, discrimination and favoritism…On a brighter note, they all desired to go to heaven, but on their own terms.

The preacher looked around and marveled at the power of his words, spoken either figuratively or literally, more powerful than a popular politician with narcissistic traits.

As his eyes wandered and his mind wondered, he saw a white pigeon sitting unmoved by an eagle. He was shocked at how his words did not move him into action. In other words, he was not influenced by the sermon or crowds. He was not fearful of the hellish consequences.

With a bellowing voice, the preacher asked him of said behavior.

The pigeon answered him by saying: “Sir, firstly, we are technically birds, but in truth, we are avian…one family (there were hushes and anxious shocks from the attended). The creator endowed us with special qualities, created us to know one another, be one, to worship Him alone and live harmoniously with each other. We soar through the same azure sky above, rummage for our survival, care for our lineage.

I know that to divide is to exceedingly conquer. I don’t know how you roped us into this, but that should not change our avian hood. Long live the avian race.

He proceeded to say: No one should be patronized except through righteousness, being prim and proper in faith and acts. Birds should be nest builders, peace makers and goodwill ambassadors. By the way preacher, I’m out of here. I have the whole-wide world, the skies to roam and explore. Best wishes to all.”

The preacher shuddered in fear and agony, as he saw the pigeon fly away. He was apprehensive about others following suit.

Next Sunday, as the preacher came in the church to preach a message about reconciliation, he found the church empty.

All the birds signed a petition of solvency with their flipping wings.

 

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Sami… when my feathers become Ruffled and Gargoyles sleep on the Eaves of Eternity.. Peaceful Doves will fly in Blue Skies…. Beautiful thoughts in Cathedrals where ancient Scriptures lie… Amen. 💗 love your Poetry… Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said. Thank you kindly for the visit and sharing your thoughts. A blessing.

[Susan 🦋]

… as they should have. We are all stronger together than divided. No ONE better than the other. Preacher bird just got schooled in a bit of avian wisdom.🕊

[Sami Khalil]

Howdy do! So true and well said. You have summed it up marvelously. The power of unity and tolerance is stronger than disunity and discrimination. We are all unique in our own ways and can, should have something to offer humanity. We are all endowed by the Almighty with certain gifts, abilities, rights.... Thank you so much dear poet and friend for this wonderful review.

[Just Kim]

Wow this is quite an intriguing write here, enjoyed

[Sami Khalil]

Howdy do! Thank you kindly for this wonderful review and kind words. Glad to see you.