The cool, wet breeze of a forming spring rustled through the branches of the sycamore trees that lined the front yard of a modest split level house in a northern Long Island neighborhood. The old man who looked like he enjoyed a few too many Long Island bagels strolled by with his Porgie dog who must have been snacking on the leftovers from his supple owner. It was just another late Winter day on Cedrus Ave in East Northport. Or was it?
Suddenly a loud whistle call followed by a trill broke the silence. There was a flash of red as a bird voraciously soared into the front bushes of the house. The bird was followed by two other smaller birds who raced in. The Porgie’s ears perked up as he cocked his head to see what the commotion was about. The cardinal had landed on a branch in front of the house and sat looking at its reflection in the window while the two smaller finches sat further back in the bushes looking on in curiosity. Then it began.
The cardinal launched from its perch, claws out and WHAM! Smacked into the window, attacking its own reflection. The porgie snorted in disbelief. The finches cheeped with excitement. This was the show they came to watch.
The cardinal recollected its thoughts after a strong opening blow. Today’s opponent looked tougher than yesterday. Clearly he had done something to buff himself up. The cardinal landed back on its rhododendron perch and raised the feathers on its crest. To its dismay, the reflecting cardinal did the same. WHAM! This bird was not going to be intimidated, he took flight leading with its beak only to be met with great resistance from the window that seemed to separate him from his enemy. WHAM! He did it again and again. More finches landed and started cheeping. This was a show not to be missed. The porgie did not feel the same. After depositing his daily fecal donation for his master, he started to walk further down the street.
The cardinal wobbled slightly as he steadied himself back on his branch. He plucked a leaf off the rhododendron. This would show his enemy he meant business. But again, his enemy did the same thing! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! CHEEP, CHEEP, CHEEP! The match intensified.
After a few minutes of constant attack, the cardinal settled down. Perhaps this was not a battle that could be won today. He could let this intruder stay in his glass prison and get on with his day. He decided to drop a poop before he flew off, but he then dropped the leaf in his mouth to the complete disbelief that his enemy did the same thing. He pooped in his territory. This could not be tolerated. WHAM! WHAM! Beak hit glass. WHAM! Claws scratched at the reflective surface. WHAM! WHAM!
The cardinal was exhausted and even redder with the anger that boiled over inside his feathered body. He was going to give it all today and beat this enemy for good. As he collected himself for what would be his final fury, he was surprised at the appearance of a large headed man that also appeared behind the window.
“WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?” The man yelled into the window. The cardinal saw this much larger creature was madder than it was and this was not a fight it could win. It took flight and went to patrol the remainder of its territory while the man settled back to the glowing rectangle box he held in his hand. The battle was done for today and perhaps forever, the man in the window thought.
Peace returned to Cedrus Ave. The cool, wet breeze of a forming spring once again rustled through the branches of the sycamore trees that lined the front yard of that northern Long Island house. But suddenly! There was a loud whistle call followed by a trill broke the silence and the cardinal swooped back in with new found energy, knowing this time would be different!