Life Lesson from a Slacker Robin

For weeks earlier this spring we had a robin that worked to build a nest above our patio door.  The bird was quite industrious, and would be able to cobble together a nest in a little over a day.  Not wanting to have a messy nest outside our door, I’d proceed to knock the nest down before it could be populated with eggs.  And the next day we’d go through the process all over again. I even went so far as put canned goods on the ledge to make building the nest harder. 

At least eight times I knocked that nest down, and it finally seemed that I had got through to the momma robin.  It appeared that she finally gave up and went missing for a couple of days, likely in search of greener pastures in which to raise her brood. However, she saved her biggest surprise for my wife and me when, upon return of being away for the weekend, we found momma robin no longer building a nest, but quietly sitting in one. 

Before too long, momma started flying off the nest and feeding four very hungry mouths that would poke out of their home atop our patio door.   In watching the process for days, it was remarkable at how much momma needed to feed those hungry mouths, and how quickly they were growing. 

Within weeks the babies had gained the familiar orange breasts, and soon they vacated the nest altogether.  Except for this guy here.  While everyone else took off, this guy found life atop the soup can pretty darn good.  Lots of room to stretch out, mom brining in meals multiple times a day, great view, the whole enchilada.  While he milked it for a couple of days, we awoke one morning and found that the nest (and the soup can) were no longer inhabited. 

While slacking off clearly had an appeal, it likely ultimately paled when compared to the joy, challenge, risk and freedom of flight. 

I think there’s a lesson in there somewhere.