TOBIAS and DAD?

                                          or

                                    TOBIAS and MOM?

Tragedy describes the short life of Rolling Thunder – the wayward, day-old, intrepid orphan goose whose short life qualifies him to be celebrated for courage that far outweighed his three-ounce physique. On day ten of his brief life he wandered from the flock and was never seen again.

Uncanny good luck has, thus far, blessed his counterpart – the sole survivor of a hatching by our domestic turkeys. Tobias’s five siblings literally vanished in the air. They were swept up into the beak of a hawk who visited the clutch each day for a tasty dinner. Perhaps Tobias was unharmed because he was puny and unappetizing.

Mom turkey was devoted to her maternal task while she sat on the eggs and while she tended the chicks, even as they disappeared on by one. Dad turkey, on the other hand, completely ignored Mom throughout the long weeks of nesting. But the instant the first chick hatched, he assumed the role of super macho guardian protector. With a devotion bordering on vengeance, Dad puffed his chest, spread his mighty feathers, and strutted in circles around his offspring holding his wings low against the ground so that they made a rumbling sound. The waddles surrounding Dad's face filled with the blood of paternal pride, turning a deep purple-red. Any potential threat was greeted with a terrifying cackle. And thus, the little family was bonded.

Then, I was awakened one morning by the sounds of Tobias cheeping in distress and the sight of Mom’s white feathers scattered in clumps across the meadow. These are the tell-tale signs of a fox attack. Dad's ruffled featheres showed he, too, had been involved in the fray, but survived.

Once again I faced a the dilemma I encountered with Rolling Thunder. The choice lay between caging the infant (protection plus his misery), or allowing him to be free (risk plus his happiness). As I debated the alternatives, I noted that Dad had suddenly abandoned his masculine posturing. His body assumed the proportions of a female. His strut and temperament mimicked the demeanor of a female. He was gobbling softly like a female. He was tending to the chick just like the missing Mom!

This surrogate Mom knew precisely how to lead the youngster to food and water, and where to find protection from the rain. He/She immediately abandoned his/her favority nighttime roosting place on a high railing. Instead, he/she settled down in a protected spot in the midst of the irises with his/her wing outstretched just enought to shelter the baby who was not yet able to fly. As the days passed, Tobias became strong enough to scale the heights of Dad's/Mom's back where he settled into the soft feathers fo afternoon naps while Dad/Mom sat as still as a four poster bed.  

Yesterday another landmark was achieved. Tobias fluttered his newly sprouted feathers and flew for a few yards. Last night, Dad/Mom resumed his/her favorite sleeping location on the high rais with the flight-worthy Tobias at his side.

....Another amazing adventure from staying at home.

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved