For the Birds 2000

On a bright morning, a small, egg-shaped blue Bird lands on a powerline and settles in for a quiet moment, only to be joined moments later by a second bird nearby. The two quickly become a tiny crowd as they are joined by thirteen more of the same species, forming a rowdy group of fifteen that spend their time squabbling for space.

A large, awkward shoebill-like bird appears from a nearby power pole, honks, and waves at the crowd, interrupting the bickering. The fifteen little birds imitate his plumage and his honk in a teasing chorus, until the tall bird calls again, prompting the smaller birds to slide further down the line and whisper about him.

Undeterred, the bigger bird takes flight and perches between the flock, but his weight sags the powerline toward the ground. The little birds slide down and press themselves against the big bird’s sides, chirping indignantly about the cramped space, while the big bird fails to understand their frustration and joins in with more squawking.

After a few moments, one little bird pecks the big bird’s side, sending him into a startled stance and causing him to fall backward, hanging upside down by his feet. Encouraged by the others, the two middle birds begin pecking at the big bird’s toes, releasing them one by one from the line, though the big bird seems unfazed by the tugging. One little bird finally realizes how close they are to the ground and warns the others, and they alert the middle two just in time. They act too late, and the last toe slides free, snapping the line like a slingshot and launching the little birds up into a cloud of feathers.

The bigger bird lands safely on the ground and toys with the floating feathers until one of the smaller birds—now naked—crashes beside him. He notices the naked youngster and lets out a laugh, though he kindly offers a leaf to cover him. Seconds later, the remaining fourteen little birds join the scene, also naked. The big bird’s laughter grows louder as the group, now unclothed, peels away to hide behind him in a blush of shame.