Animal

Grandmother taught me Thiruppavai verses while we fed the street pigeons, their wings fluttering like ancient prayers. "See how they gather?" she'd whisper, invoking Avvaiyar's wisdom about humble creatures teaching us dignity. My brother had cheated his way to money, shortcuts masking emptiness. But watching those birds—focused, persistent, earning their daily bread honestly—I understood something deeper. Grandmother smiled, knowing I'd finally grasped it. These animals weren't just background to our heritage. They were teachers, reminding us that true worth comes through integrity. Our ancestors knew this.