He stood on his block with the jesses around his legs that kept him earthbound. He looked at me with sharp searching eyes knowing me to be a human, earthbound just as if I had permanent shackles on my legs. He had the ability to fly, to soar far above the earth and become one with the Universe while I was dependent, with an unseen umbilical cord that kept me separated from complete freedom. He knew if it started a cold chilling rain that I would run for cover and bind myself with cumbersome garments to ward off the chill from my poorly formed body, while he had garments that protected and still gave him complete freedom.

My world was so small compared to his. From his soaring heights he saw the world in its entirety, while I was given glimpses here and there. I lived in a box while his world was the Universe.

I released the jesses, and he gave me a pitying look; and with a graceful lift of his wings he left the perch that had chained him. With elegant grace he stopped on a tree, gave his feathers a shake out and looked over his shoulder down at me as if to say, "There is so much I could teach you, but you wouldn't understand with your earthly concepts." He raised his magnificent wings and leaped into the Universe, found a thermal, and I watched him soar until he was but a speck in the vast blue sky. I felt a loss and envy, for I too would like to soar, to have complete freedom, and be part of the Universe. But then...