It was business as usual in Icelander Gunnar Kr Sigurjonsson’s home. Gunnar was preoccupied with work when his dog Diamond entered the room whining. Diamond was persistent, and Gunnar knew that something was up. His dog was trying to communicate something urgent, something important.
They had already been outside to walk, and Diamond’s behavior struck him as peculiar. However, Gunnar decided to follow him. Gunnar did not anticipate what he saw next as Diamond ran to the balcony. A bird lay before him, motionless. The bird appeared dead.
Gunnar made preparations to relocate the bird. When he attempted to pick the bird up, it suddenly reanimated. However, the bird is weak and confused.
After taking the bird in, Gunnar nourished it, intending to take it back outside later. Not missing the opportunity, Gunnar began photographing the bird as it rested in his palm. The newly animated bird flew briefly and returned, this time to perch not in Gunnar’s palm but on Diamond’s head.
In this poignant gesture, the bird seems to signal its affinity for Diamond. It’s as though the bird acknowledges Diamond as their rescuer.
The bird took off in another round of flight, finding their way to a shelf. At this point, Diamond began to lick the bird’s beak. Although struggling to maintain balance, the bird retains its position.
After this, Gunnar named the bird Bibi.
Now that Bibi had regained strength, Gunnar thought to put Bibi on the balcony where the bird might leave when it was ready. However, Bibi would prove to be far more enigmatic.
Gunnar checked to see if Bibi had departed, only to find Bibi hadn’t budged from where Gunnar placed him over an hour ago. So Gunnar put Bibi in a basket and gave him a little more food.
Image: (the dodo/Gunnar Kr Sigurjonsson)
Under the watchful eyes of Diamond, Bibi rested for the night. The next day, Gunnar set the bird free and watched as it flew into the sky.
One can’t help but wonder if Bibi would ever return for a visit. Perhaps Bibi would carry Gunnar and Diamond with him in his memories, recalling their kindness. Would Diamond remember Bibi? Gunnar’s convinced of the answer.
Diamond’s reaction to hearing Bibi’s name is to run and look out to the balcony. I like to think that Bibi remembers Diamond too.
Image: (the dodo/Gunnar Kr Sigurjonsson)
Credits to thedodo.com