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For sanitary reasons, the bird could not embark on the plane from AD to 🇫🇷. She cried silently. I was moved. I promised to take care of the bird at the 🇫🇷 residence, feed him. She could visit him anytime and take him back. I won't forget her look of desperate gratefulness. 2/8
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During that heavy fortnight at the base, I was sleeping 2 or 3 hours a day, so intense was the evacuation organization. On a dizzy interlude I took Juji - the bird's name - to the French residence. This energetic little mynah escaped his box and made a big mess in the car. 3/8
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He hid beneath the seat and wouldn't budge. When I tried to talk him into coming back, the fierce little fellow showed me that if he survived the Kabul airport, I was no match. 4/8
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I tried a few minutes every day to teach him 🇫🇷 words, starting with "Bonjour", but the thing is: Juji doesn't like men. He frowned at me and looked angrily, while he giggled at females. I went on trying hopelessly my daily "Bonjour" - but sure enough he wouldn't listen. 6/8
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...Or so I thought. Until one day, the (female)  manager of the French residence sent me this "Bonjour" that went straight to my heart. 7/8
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Today, from Paris, the bird's owner, "Alia", found me on Twitter. She was so happy to see her bird thus cared for. She wanted me to teach him 🇫🇷. Alia, your bird has become the embassy's mascot, but he is here for you, and if I can, I'll take him personally to you one day. 8/8
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