Pets

It was our third day at Lahore Railway Station when our grandmother happily announced that we have got a house. It was located on the opposite side of the railway station. When I saw it, I observed that all the roofs of the house had fallen in except one room. We took refuge in this room very jubilantly without caring about our safety. Three of us with the parrot occupied the denuded room. During this uncertain period, our parrot remained neglected. Our state of life was not different from the parrot; we were both caged by an unfavourable environment.

The parrot remained silent during our days of misery. It never asked us for food. It had become very weak and sick. It quietly witnessed our misery with doleful eyes and in the safety of that house he quietly left us one day. I was not able to understand why it died. It was a sad day for the family, and we all wept.

I was tasked to carry out the burial ceremony. I remember I took the dead parrot in my hand and dug the ground and buried it in tears. It was not only a pet but also part of our family with a deep association. It was the first time I experienced the death of our dear one in childhood.