The fire was terrible.
I can still remember the newspaper accounts the next day that many of the kids in the orphanage were trapped in that charity institution that was located not too far away from where I lived.
I heard the unceasing screams and sirens of fire trucks coming from all over the Metropolis and since I live on top of a building, it was easy for me to view the entire scene happening. I guess I’ll never get over the awesome destructive power of fires and the effect upon me was very jolting.
I can’t help but imagine. Suppose I was one of those little kids trapped inside that building? And if that wasn’t bad enough; suppose I still have a couple of kids with me, perhaps my younger brothers or sisters? And if that thing were to happen to me, being a parent trapped inside a building house, what would I have done?
The closest call I had to a burning scene happened when a house some 4 doors away burst into flames. Heavy smokes were blowing towards our direction and people from the entire block began running along the streets with their prize possessions. Carrying TV sets, stereo sets and some were dragging their children away from the scene. It was really a horrible sight.
My kid was in school then. My two other daughters were not even born yet. It happened a long time ago yet the scene has not failed to leave my memory. How often have I told Lilia that I could probably build up the courage, take control and face any kind of tragedy that would happen but honestly, I don’t even know how I would react in case a fire breaks out!
Have you ever entertained this thought? Have you ever tried to answer this question? Suppose a fire breaks out and you find yourself with your kids inside a burning place. What would you do?
I’ve asked myself this question time and time again but then one article I came across gave me the answer. Let me share it with you.
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had singed her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live.
It’s amazing isn’t it? That we get answers and we learn lessons from God’s creations. Some how we need to think. Man, with all his intellect, education and will fails to do deeds of nobility we find animals do.
Animals don’t rape their young. I guess they don’t lie and cheat each other. They don’t send their offspring abroad to work as prostitutes so that the dollars can come…
This mother bird stood gallantly and protected her young with her wings. She died so that her offspring may live. If God be merciful then He will never allow me to experience a grave tragedy where my love and duty to my kids will be severely tested. But meanwhile, I can show my love and be gallant with my intentions by spending time with them and doing the most important task of them all. Loving their mother and being faithful as the head of the family.
There’s another angle we can see from this article taken from the National Geographic. When all things fail, God remains steadfast. For His word in
Psalm 91:4 says:
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
What a great assurance.
wow…amazing, thanks for sharing! I really enjoy reading your posts during my lunch break at work… Thanks again Sir Francis!
nice story… as a mother, I can truly relate to that story… yes, if I had wings, I’d have my kids sheltered under my wings and spare them from any harm… Yes I would, if I could…
This article is very touching sir. It made me miss my mom and dad.
Very touching… I am a father of 3 months baby girl and I will protect her by all means.
a fire beside a gas station broke up once, the station was just a few meters away from us. first thing i did was to evac my then baby daughter and wife asap. i then went back to get my baby’s feeding bottles, milk and nappies since i played worst case and i don’t want her going hungry or uncomfortable.
i guess i do have some near enough experience to know how i’ll react to dangers.
really touching… teary eyed when i was reading this…. true.. we need not wait for tragedies to happen to show our kids how much wed protect them…. we can show them everyday how much they mean to us…..
The story of the bird and it’s babies is a great one, but according to Snopes, it is not a true one: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/birdwing.asp
I met a man who happened to be in Yellowstone with Scouts when the fires started. He said that he and the scouts were being brought to safety when the ranger they were with came to the dead mother bird. He and the scouts watched as the ranger knocked the body aside and that three chicks ran out from underneath the remains of their mother.
Just so you know he and the scouts had been there before the fires started and had been moved several times before they moved to complete safety.
oh thank you so much for the info. Sure appreciate it.