Kuruva Kuruvi

We live in an apartment building at the busiest part of the city. We have a few pigeons and crows visiting our balcony occassionally, but have never seen a sparrow in the last four years.

But a few months ago, one morning I heard a sparrow chirping in my balcony. I ran out of my kitchen and in my eagerness, I shooed  a rare sparrow that visited us. Feeling guilty and disappointed, I looked out and waited for ten minutes, but the visitor didn’t return.

When I told my husband, he suggested that I place a few rice grains and see whether that attracts the little one. I did so and waited eagerly for the chirping sound but nothing happened for two or three days. The grains were eaten by the crows, but I continued placing them with hope and prayers.

My prayers were answered on the fourth day. I saw a pair of sparrows, whom I fondly call as Kuruva, Kuruvi now eating away the grains and chirping gaily. I quickly took my camera and shot a picture, which is what you see as the header in this blog.

They started visiting me everyday and we developed a beautiful bonding  They knew that I was their provider and would call out to me on a rare day, when I forget to place the grains at 6 AM. They were no longer scared and would wait very close to me, for me to place the grains.

Their nest is somewhere close and we could constantly hear their chirping. They even became friendlier with my husband and would continue eating, if he went out to the balcony to take a call while they were there.

We knew that Kuruvi had laid eggs and the chicks were born. We saw frantic activity and the active parents would call me out and demand more food, which I happily obliged.

Last week, one morning I heard insistent chirping, while I was inside my room.  Since I had already kept the feed, I did not pay attention initially. When I realised I went out to check what was wrong and I stopped in my tracks wonderstruck.

It was my darling Kuruva who was calling me. He had brought his baby along with him and wanted me to see her. He was teaching the little one how to feed. The little one was a little jittery when I went closer, but the father comforted her. I guess he told the little one that I am not a threat.I stood there speechless and was so moved by his gesture. I called my husband and he took a few pictures.

Now the father brings the second kid too and has started to teach both his children how to feed. Kuruvi also accompanies them once in a while, but it is Kuruva who is doing all the teaching. I am sharing a few pictures of  my friend and his family here with you.

Today, I had two new visitors. They came much after Kuruva and his babies left and pecked on the remaining grains. Looks to me like a new dating couple Flew away when I went to replenish the grains. But, I know they’ll come back .

‘Cos I am a good friend you know

Kuruva

Kuruvi

This is the day when, Kuruva called me and showed me his little one

Kuruva feeding rice to his baby

Helpful father

Both the babies

Kuruva teaching both his children to eat

Kuruva keeping an eye on his little ones

Papa don’t preach