In the middle of a lush, green park on the outskirts of the city sat a little kiosk. It had seen better days, but its gaily striped awning and a large friendly sign still beckoned. “Birds Watching,” it read. Tiny bags of sunflower seeds were placed in a neat row next to a dish of coins. Wooden benches were set at intervals in the shade, inviting nature lovers to sit, ponder, and observe. And so they did. A little salt-and-pepper pair fluttered in and settled on one of the benches. “Those two come here every morning,” said one old fellow, indicating the new arrivals. “I’ve noticed that,” said his companion. “To this exact spot. I wonder why?” “No idea. Nature is a mystery.” “Shall we feed them?” “Oh, I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve heard that does them more harm than good.” She brightened, eyeing the little dish of coins. “I’ve got an idea!” She picked up a quarter in her beak and tossed it at the feet of the elderly couple. “Brilliant,” he answered. “They do love to collect shiny objects.” “It’s nearly noon. Shall we head to the fountain? They’re always so entertaining at feeding time.” “Race you,” he replied, launching himself into the air. “Well, there they go, those two,” chuckled the man on the bench. “Every morning, just like clockwork.” His wife picked up the quarter. “I wonder what that was about?” “Who knows,” he said, watching the two starlings as they wheeled above the trees. “Nature’s a mystery.” “It is that,” she laughed. “And another one – in all the years we’ve been coming here, you’d think someone would’ve had the good sense to correct the spelling on that sign.” “You say that every day, dear,” he said, taking her hand.
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