Out of the Night Sky

On a hot and humid night over the Easter holidays, Mr and Mrs Noah decided to eat alfresco on the back stoep and watch the sun set over Pearly Beach. “Let’s have a glass or two of wine with dinner,” said Mrs Noah. “After all, it’s a lovely night and we have earned it, I’m sure! We have been so busy lately.”

So, the two of them settled down with their beloved animals - Mango, Sid, Alfie and Chilli, and enjoyed a lovely home-cooked meal. Afterwards, Mr Noah went inside and started to wash up, whilst Mrs Noah stayed outside to play a game of ‘Fetch - but I won’t bring it back’ with Mango. By this time it was well after sunset and the sky was dark and filled with twinkly stars and the white streak of the Milky Way.

Mr Noah was bent over the sink scrubbing away and could hear the sounds of a toy being thrown and Mango rushing around to find it. “Aah, it’s really nice that Mango and Mrs Noah are enjoying themselves so much.” The problem was, however, that Mrs Noah is not known for her good drinking capacity and had drunk slightly too much wine!

Suddenly, a shrill shriek rang through the still night and Mr Noah heard (a, possibly, slightly slurred) “Mango, leave it - now! Mr Noah! Come here! Quick!”

Mr Noah took off his rubber gloves and rushed outside to see what had happened. He was confronted by Mrs Noah and Mango peering at a little bundle of feathers on the ground. “What happened?”

“Well,” said Mrs Noah, “I was just throwing Mango’s soft plastic stick toy for her to catch. I threw it high into the dark sky, and there was a thud and feathers came fluttering down, followed quickly by this little bundle on the ground - here!” There, laying somewhat dazed on the ground, was a little turtle dove.

“I think I must have hit it when I threw the toy into the air! Mango ran to grab the toy and picked up a mouthful of feathers at the same time. Is it ok, Mr Noah?” Mr Noah looked at Mrs Noah in total disbelief!

“So, what you are saying is, that you threw the toy into the pitch black night sky and, somehow, managed to hit the only turtle dove, or even the only bird, flying around at this time of night? And you hit it with a plastic doggy toy? Unbelievable! Let’s have a look at the poor little bird.”

Mr Noah picked up the bundle of feathers and looked deep into the eyes of one dazed and confused little turtle dove. After a few minutes, it looked at Mr Noah and seemed to say, “I can’t believe I was just shot down by a plastic doggy toy! That’s absurd!”

With that, Mr Noah stroked and smoothed the little bird’s feathers, and Mango gave it a kiss just before it flew off into the night sky to find somewhere else to roost for the night!