Mercy

I saw a sad thing today. In front of the tire of a parked car, a sparrow was lying on its back, fluttering its wings and kicking its feet. Though it struggled mightily, it was unable to right itself. I noticed that its head seemed to be stuck twisted around to one side, and its tail was mangled at the base.

J tried to flip it over onto its feet, hoping that this would give it a sporting chance at survival, but it was unable to retain its balance. Each time he tried, it toppled immediately onto its back again. J stepped on its head and ended its pain. I watched through its spastic final burst of motion, watched as the blood oozed and bubbled from its head, and stayed with it until it lay still.

May you find safer travels in the next life, little sparrow.