I smashed the rock onto the nut, taking care not to smash the foot that held it in place. It had been a while since I had made that mistake, but the memory of pain taught me well. But to hammer one's own foot was a mistake made best by chicks. I was no longer a chick, having become instead a proud adult.
Abandoning the stone, I quickly pecked at the pieces of my meal. A meal I had procured myself. No more begging. No more following stealing from more successful siblings. And most importantly, no more following behind parents to see where the best food was to be had.
I picked my head up, looking around for the next nut. Nothing around me was familiar, and I knew not where the food was to be had. But I did not let that deter me. I no longer needed my mother or my father. I could survive just well on my own. I could figure it all out on my own.
I jumped into the air, catching myself with open wings and flapping my way up to a low-lying branch. None of the good nuts could be found up here, but perching was proper. Over the years I had learned it was also safe but most importantly, provided a better view. From up here, I could compare what I saw on the ground, looking for a nice good larder.
"Help! Help!"
I startled at the screech, a cry for help that cut off into a long wordless scream. It was a scream that cut down to my bones and caused my to ruffle me feathers with unease. I flung myself off, drawn in a panic towards the sound.
Who is that? What could possibly make them scream like that? I had no idea what I'd do when I got to the source, but I had to see what was causing it. Maybe I could help? Would I even want to help? Certainly not if the dangerous animal was still there.
"Help!" That cry again.
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The Crested Cuckoo Shrike looked up from his perch, taking time out of his preening. He turned his head in curiosity, watching as the chiselpecker shot through the trees towards the sound of the screaming Chattering Cuckoo Shrike. What an idiot, the Crested Cuckoo Shrike thought.
But either way he hopped from his own perch to follow, curious to see what would happen. This bird would certainly be in for the shock of his young life (a life bound to stay that young).
The Crested Cuckoo Shrike arrived just in time to see the predator slam into the chiselpecker, the young bird letting out a sharp scream of his own as the Chattering Cuckoo Shrike ended him.
The predator looked up to stare at the watching Crested Cuckoo Shrike, repeating a sound unintelligible to the Crested Cuckoo Shrike. But to the young chiselpecker, it would've sounded a lot like "hello".
YOU ARE READING
A New Perspective of the Far Off Future
Short StoryA collection of short stories all of which take place in the far future, close to 200 million years in the future. Humans have long been gone and life has long since moved on, with a myriad of new fantastic forms having evolved. This new era of life...
