She came everyday as the sun set. The cool sea breeze, the brilliant hues of scarlet, orange, and lilac in the firmament, reflected in the deep blue green waters seemed to draw her. The tall coconuts lining the shore swayed rhythmically dancing to some inaudible tune. It energized her and made her jubilant.
He came too. It was the best time to catch fishes, molluscs, and whatever little things strayed on the beach. His big beady eyes saw everything, like a mounted periscope. Since childhood he had been well trained to mind his business, and he followed it strictly. Cause his life depended on it.
One day as she landed, she was walking up to the edge of the water rolling in and out, then would run back, hopefully out of reach of the surfing edges. Screaming loudly in jest. Being a quiet, lonely stretch of the coast, there were few people to disturb the natural beauty and grace.
The symphony of the waves, and the calling of the birds was sometimes even enriched by dolphins at play.
Well, let’s get back to him. He was cold and calculating. Waiting for his chance to pick up whatever he could grab. Quite nasty actually. The ones he had designs on had no escape. The poor wretches! Getting angry on your part is quite understandable.
She was oblivious to such goings on. Too self-obsessed, having the luxury of indulging in self-reflection and self-absorption. As she looked skywards, she saw a flock of birds effortlessly flying to reach their destination. But they descended close by. Their merry cackle broke the peace to some extent, yet there was place for everyone. She just walked back to the water’s edge once more. Squealing in delight.
When he saw a whole flock, he hurried as fast as his awkward sideways feet allowed. Mumbling and grumbling. He was set for a downfall that evening, but not with the noisy birds around. And these foreigners, migrating, they could not be trusted at all. Here today, gone tomorrow. God knows what all they carried with them!
He was headed away from the water’s edge!
So was she, squealing in delight… and that’s when she spotted him.
For a moment she was speechless… she wouldn’t let him go. For long she had heard about his wild ways. And he was big! Huge! But she would make mincemeat of him! Give him his just rewards. So many unsuspecting young ones had fallen prey to this predator!
Today it was her turn! With a calculated move, she swooped on him and pinned him down. His eight limbs were pecked apart, while the hard-hearted guy was flung mercilessly on a rock and cracked up! In the setting sunlight she slowly devoured the flesh, not burping even once!
She raised her wings once more, cackling loudly and flew to join her flock. Today she would boast about devouring the biggest crab that ever lived on the shore!
The sea watched the drama as it had done eternally.
