Saying goodbye to a pigeon – Rajiv Krishna Saxena

Here I describe a simple event that was nonetheless moving – Rajiv Krishna Saxena

Saying goodbye to a pigeon

While making morning tea yesterday, I saw a pigeon pacing in the kitchen balcony. When I opened the door, I saw another pigeon that was just sitting, unable to walk. It looked like it had no energy, even to lift its head. I wondered if the pigeon was dying.

We hardly see birds dying, as instinctively the birds die in secluded areas. I placed a small saucer with water. Also sprinkled tiny pieces of roti around the pigeon.

When I returned after the tea, the pigeon was moving around a bit. Perhaps it needed water and food. The companion pigeon however, had vanished. Unfortunately, there was no further improvement in its condition.

Later our maid picked it up and took it to ground floor and rested it on a piece of clothe near the storage area of gas cylinders. She told me that later when I enquired about the sick pigeon. She needed the balcony for her chores.

I went down to see what happened to the pigeon. By then it had died. I felt sad. I kept wondering about how the other pigeon abandoned it in its last moments. May be that too is animal instinct. May God bless its soul.

Prof Rajiv Krishna Saxena

May 26, 2026