The Robin Academy

 

Fall is here, and the robins are gone.  I miss their happy chirping in the morning.  I miss how they follow us around to see where we will be digging in the yard or garden.  It gives them a chance for good worms.  This story happened at the beginning of August.  

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As my dog and I completed our morning walk the other day, we rounded the curve at the big maple tree, and came upon a flock of robins – at least twenty.  They looked mostly young, and they were sitting on roots, and low shrubs.  In the manner of a Professor addressing his class, was what appeared to be a much older Robin, sitting on the ground, addressing the youth around him.  Some of the young robins were fluttering at each other – typical kids!

I caught all of this at a glance.  I told my dog to wait and the two of us stopped to see what would happen next.

The Professor Robin gave a sharp chirrup, and the robins got quiet.  He started to speak.  It sounded like he was telling them about the long journey south, and what they would need to do to prepare.  Some of the young robins still had spots on their chest.   He flew up and then back down.  He kept chirruping, and flapping his wings.  And then, as he turned to look around, he spotted us.  He let out a squawk, and all the robins took off.

I was laughing at the remarkable resemblance to our school system that I saw in the Robin Academy.  I even thought how Professor Robin looked like the Dean of the English Department in university.  

It was a fun morning, to see how robins prepare their young.  I am grateful for the experience.

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Blessings,

Judy

Wolf Insights

Wolf drops by from time to time to share some insights.  Although regarded as a predator, and therefore something to be fearful around, Wolf is quite gentle when she is treated with respect.  That is her first insight.

The natural order of all things is to separate into levels of dominance or seniority or skills.  Humans do not follow this natural order.  Often the weakest, the least skilled, and the thoughtless become leaders or seconds.  They are careless with Nature and with life.  Trust them not.

Keep the pack small.  When the pack is small, you are more mobile and can follow the food more easily.  Larger packs are more work and are more likely to give the leader trouble.  A kill does not feed as many and there is more greed. 

Train the young.  The youngest and weakest wolf is trained in the way to fend for itself or for another if that is what is called for.  I see your young and know that most cannot fend for themselves and certainly will not care for another.  This erodes the power of the pack and the species.

Hunt the sure thing.  It is not in our Nature to go after the biggest and the strongest.  The chase simply will wear us out!  We are caretakers and help keep the herd animals strong.  We take the weakest and let the herd keep its strong to lead and to breed.

Blessings,

Judy

Buffalo Kin

Buffalo is unique in its shape – a massive hump over its shoulders, and a very thick skull and mane that protects the head from attack.  The hind end is not so protected.  Therefore, as a defense stance, Buffalo will gather in a circle, with their heads out and their hindquarters in.  This allows them to protect themselves and each other.  

If you doubted that we, humans, are related to buffalo, then look at the idea of Buffalo gathering in a circle.  So have humans gathered over time.  Our Ancestors held the circle sacred, as does Buffalo.  In fact, Buffalo will put the young in the center of the circle to protect them as well.

Buffalo kin show us that we need to protect our young, while at the same time training them to survive on their own.  We do not know how to do this anymore, it seems.  Buffalo comes forward now to remind us that the strength of our children is dependent on the strength that we have to teach them what is needed.  We have to do better at teaching than we have in the past.

Many blessings,

Judy