It's Still Life

Day 9: Create a dialogue between two different species of birds.

Who’s the Bird

A magpie lands on the branch beside a robin.

Hello, says the robin.
Buzz off, says the magpie.
I was here first, says the robin. You buzz off, and tone it done – my littles are napping. Are you here for my babies?

The robin studies the magpie’s body language. For hidden intent. It’s giving nothing away.

No, says the magpie, I’m watching those two birds sitting down there on the picnic rug, the one wearing pigeon-grey with the silver bowl of green beans. I like shiny silver. Nice sparkly earrings, too.

You’re just a bling bird, says the robin. Besides, how are you going to lug around a silver bowl? I don’t see a rucksack on your back.

I’ll just drag it backwards. Backward things are always lightweight, says the magpie. You’ll know all this stuff when you’re older, like paper comes from trees, and the plural of octopus is both octopi and octopuses.

Whatever, snorts the robin. Do you see that bird reading a book? She’s calm. Peaceful. I could sit by her feet, beg some food, and she wouldn’t shriek or jump up and scare me. I don’t like the way the other one snaps those beans in half, as if she enjoys snapping toys into little pieces. Anyway, I’d better get back to my littles before they start squawking.

The magpie nods, its axe-sharp gaze follows the robin back to its nest…

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Flash Fiction for Day 9. For #thewildness challenge. Create a dialogue between two different species of birds perched on a branch. Artwork is created using Midjourney. Imagery and poems ©Misky 2023.