Soft songs of exotic birds, puppies barking cheerfully, and the familiar scent of birdseed and pet food. This was the daily life of the small pet store, where every corner seemed to have a story to tell. In a special little nook, a plastic hatch housed two tiny hummingbird chicks, safely nestled inside. A strong wind had blown their nest down, and luckily, a kind and protective adult rescued them before small, curious hands could cause any harm. The larger of the two chicks, still shy, slowly climbed over its sibling to reach the sweet water of the improvised feeder.

Visitors to the store—whether buying nectar or simply observing nature up close—soon found themselves part of an unexpected mission: to nurse these little ones back to health and return them to their true home—the open sky and the freedom of the garden. As we took on this responsibility, we realized that helping them also meant gaining a little bit of freedom ourselves.

Beneath the welcoming shade of the cherry tree, the hatch was gently opened. The two little birds were now ready for their big moment. The blue sky above and the soft sea breeze around them made it feel like pure magic. It seemed as if curious eyes, perhaps other birds, were watching from afar. Suddenly, a flock of hummingbirds swooped in, as if to welcome the new members of their group. They flew back and forth, chirping joyfully, and the garden quickly transformed into a lively celebration.

With newfound courage, the first chick took its maiden flight, diving into the vibrant colors of the garden and disappearing swiftly toward the sea. The second chick, more hesitant, stayed behind, perhaps needing just a bit more time to say goodbye. We left it alone with nature, trusting that its moment would come soon.

The next morning, as the sun began to rise, the little hummingbird finally made its grand leap. It flew to the vine of yellow trumpet flowers across the garden, where it perched, observing its surroundings, maybe waiting for someone. A few moments later, a second hummingbird appeared, flying alongside it, as if performing a graceful dance in the air. Together, they flew off in perfect harmony, with an unspoken promise to return. Because, just like good children, birds come back too.

It was a moment of freedom and courage, and our garden would never be the same again.

By Palmari H. de Lucena