Amidst the bustle of a certain northern city, two birds perched on the power lines of a roadside pole. One was snow white, the other coal black. The white bird softly asked:
“Hey, when do you think winter will arrive?”
The black bird stared at its friend in astonishment:
“Goodness! Why ask that? Summer only just began yesterday! Here we are in the scorching heat and suddenly you’re asking about winter.”
“I was just wondering, that’s all.”
“What made you ask such a silly question?”
“Well . . . I just felt like asking. But I’m not going to tell you the real reason.”
The white bird turned its head to the right, looking slightly embarrassed. The black bird sighed quietly, deciding not to press the issue:
“Alright, never mind. If you don’t want to say, then so be it. Do you want to fly to Saigon with me, then?”
“I can’t go.”
The black bird titled its head, puzzled:
“Why not?”
“I-I’m not going. Saigon is far away. The flight is exhausting.”
The bird fell silent for a moment, then ventured a guess:
“Is it because you want to wait for winter?”
“You go ahead to Saigon. I’ll stay here and wait for winter to come.” The white bird smiled.
Before taking flight, the black bird turned back and asked:
“Let’s meet again someday! You have to promise we’ll see each other again. Do you promise?”
The white bird hesitated, then nodded very slowly, speaking in a soft voice:
“I promise we’ll meet again.”
“Don’t forget that promise!”
The black bird spread its wings and flew off into the vast sky, while the white bird silently watched its friend fly away, gradually disappearing behind the soft white clouds.
Author’s Note
The story capture a friendship of two birds filled with intimacy and secrecy. Both respect each other’s boundaries and share a deep bond.
About Author
Min Nguyen is a 17 year old girl who loves to write in any free time they have. Most of their writings are inspired by artwork from visiting galleries, museums and viewing nature. She mostly writes short stories and only recently enjoys writing poems.
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