Budgies

Picture courtesy of ABC-KID.comand is for the old lady I met in the pet shop today. I was there buying goldfish. I have had fish all my life and from time to time you lose a few and you have to stock up. I have just had a bad run because it has been unusually cold in Adelaide and even though goldfish can manage the cold, mine just weren't used to it and it put them out of sorts. I lost tropical fish last time it was so cold because my little daughter turned the heater off! A long time ago now....about 1994. Fancy that!

While I was waiting to be served I started taking to an old lady who was obviously buying a bird. I suddenly learned a lot. She was so excited and was really looking forward to having the green and yellow budgie which was her favourite and she thought the colours were so beautiful. She was getting a blue one too to keep it company and had got all sorts of bits and pieces to keep the birds happy and healthy. She was so thrilled they had packed them in box with an Australian flag because she was German and was delighted to have Australian budgies in her home with their own patriotic packaging! It became evident she must have been living alone because she wanted the budgies to make some noise and be someone to talk to and look after. I think she must have lost her husband. Chatting to me made her even more excited that we were happy for her and the pet shop owner made a fuss of her and the young assistant showed her how to get the budgies sitting on her shoulder. She may only have been buying budgies, but the service, the joy and the pleasure had made this important day for her one to be treasured. So this little budgie is for you, wherever you are...and I bet you are talking away to your budgies by now!!