The Fable of Chaffinch

Some time ago, in a very warm area of the countryside, there lived a family of Chaffinches. There was Father Chaffinch, Mother Chaffinch and three little chicks. They led a simple life. Mother Chaffinch took care of the newborn chicks and Father Chaffinch spent most of his time gathering food for them all and came back home in the evening. Near them lived other families of small birds like Great and Blue Tits or Siskins. One day, a Blackbird posed himself on the branch where the Chaffinches’ nest was and cried for all the birds to hear:

“I hereby announce that Sir Kestrel’s reign has commenced. All birds are to obey his rules and wishes from now on. Long live Sir Kestrel!”

And off the Blackbird went as suddenly as he’d come. The little birds had no idea what to make of the Blackbird’s announcement. Father Chaffinch talked to the Siskins about it and they were just as surprised as he was. They talked to the Great Tits living in the gall oak, but they didn’t know what all that was about either. So everyone just went back to their daily affairs, thinking that if there was anything to worry about, they’d find out sooner or later.

The three little Chaffinch chicks were starting to get bigger, and their proud parents were happy to see them eat everything they fed them, whether sunflower seeds, green shoots or elderberries. And so some days passed after the Blackbird’s mysterious visit before he returned, accompanied by two other Blackbirds. One of them, who no one had ever seen before in that region of the countryside, looked around, jumping from branch to branch and examining the nests, sometimes asking questions like “Where did you get this twig from?” and “Are you related to Jack Blue Tit?” No little bird understood what all the fuss was for and finally, when that Blackbird went near their nest, Father Chaffinch asked him:

“Good morning. May I ask what you’re looking for? I’m afraid we haven’t met yet”.

“Your name!” – replied the Blackbird with a look of disdain.

“Excuse me, but I think we all have the right to know who you are, first.”

“Enough! Come with us!”

Before Mother Chaffinch could react, the other two Blackbirds grabbed Father Chaffinch by each side and lifted him off. Father Chaffinch tried to free himself from their grip, but only managed to get hurt. The three little Chaffinches and Mother Chaffinch cried his name in vain and the rest of the little birds were too shocked to help him. At last, after some seconds, Father Siskin came down from some branches above and talked to the Blackbird, who was still next to the Chaffinches’ nest, like this:

“You can’t take a Chaffinch just because he asked your name! Who do you think” – but before he could finish his sentence, the Blackbird jumped and pushed Father Siskin off the branch with his claws, almost like a kangaroo in a fight. The Blackbird shouted “Long live Sir Kestrel!” and took flight after his colleagues. Father Siskin recovered from the blow just in time not to hit the ground and went back to Mother Chaffinch: “I’m sorry, Katie Chaffinch”.

Everyone in the region was in shock. Similar stories about blackbirds taking small birds away, stealing their food and being rude to them for no known reason could be heard tree after tree all over the countryside. No one could understand what was happening and everybody was terrified to find out. Mother Chaffinch was desolate, but when she looked at her chicks she knew she had to be strong for them. She was determined to take good care of them and devoted all her time to meeting their needs.

Fear was soon established as the common feeling among the small birds. Blackbirds came and went with no prior notice, taking and breaking their property as they pleased. Stories and rumours of the prisoners’ fate spread among Great Tits, Chaffinches, Blue Tits... Even Cuckoos were scared! No one dared to mention the Kestrel. It was said that those who had seen him were either on his side or gone forever. All the chicks in the region learned about his power and knew to flatter him when blackbirds were around. Mother Chaffinch made sure her chicks learned about their father’s good character and nobleness. It was very important to her that they didn’t let what was happening around them influence their decisions and values. Other families, however, chose to take advantage of the Kestrel’s tyranny to show the worst part of themselves. Some Great Tits were now insulting and disparaging other small birds just because they had no colour in common with the Kestrel. Some Blue Tits took twigs from Siskins’ nests because they said the Kestrel thought all Siskins were dishonest and needed punishing. And even some Siskins could be seen in the company of blackbirds, giving them the best berries and seeds they had. Birds of all kinds were desperate to prove they were supportive of the Kestrel’s reign. It was difficult to tell whether their behaviour reflected their true nature or their wish to avoid getting hurt by the tyrants. To think that her chicks were being brought up in such an unhealthy atmosphere and without their loving Father by their side saddened Mother Chaffinch more than she could express. Alas, there was little else she could do but remain by their side and try to make them understand the situation they were in.

Years passed under the Kestrel’s reign. No one was sure how many small birds disappeared during that time, but there was no doubt that with each disappearance a family was turned upside down and inside out forever. At last, when the Kestrel passed away, the blackbirds gave the reign to a new young Kestrel, who was brought up by a Hobby by orders of the Kestrel himself. What the Kestrel had never suspected was that, thanks to the Hobby, his successor learned the value of freedom from an early age. Gradually, he managed to change the rules so that the small birds were again free, although still under his reign. However, very few of the families whose members had disappeared during the old Kestrel’s terrible ruling came to know what had been of their loved ones. Mother Chaffinch and her descendants were doomed to remember Father Chaffinch as a generous and honest heroe who was unjustly taken away from them for no reason.