There is a story I have been meaning to tell for a while. During the Afghan evacuation operation, a girl arrived at Al Dhafra airbase, exhausted, with an unusual possession: a bird. She had fought all the way at Kabul airport, to bring the treasured little thing with her.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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So I bought him a nice cage, fed him, took him out in the cool mornings so he could see other birds. He has a girlfriend now - a dove that visits him every day. So he loosened and started, at night, to say mysterious things, in a language we couldn't understand. He spoke!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I'm so happy this will be the last thing I read tonight. Nothing feels better than ending the day on positive.🤘🏼
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I have kept birds for years and agree fully with . Our little friend would benefit greatly from more space and some toys to keep him busy. Wonderful, heartwarming story of a good deed during a girl’s time of need, though - bonjour and thank you, !
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