Paying It Forward

There is nothing remarkable about ravens screeching as they fly or perch. Still, this sound was different, a cacophony of frantic frightened sounds,

loud and harsh. Two large ravens were centered over my back patio, making all that noise. Investigation found a halfgrown, terrified raven chick on the patio pavers. This chick had probably fallen from a nest in my 40-foot pine nearby. The parents were unable to help, but were determined to attack me. I scooped the chick onto a shovel and put her onto the lawn, hoping that this would help her gain purchase.

This done, I telephoned a Pacific Crest Trail hiker named Ralph, from Germany, who I had met earlier. I invited him to have breakfast out with me the next morning. He was happy to accept for a "real meal." At breakfast I told Ralph about the chick and its parents, and he expressed great interest in seeing them. I said I'd show him. As I picked up our breakfast check, Ralph began to help pay, but I said, "My treat." He argued. I finally said he could "Pay It Forward" sometime. He wasn't familiar with this concept, so I explained it to his liking. He said he would surely carry this on.

We then drove to my house where the noise continued. The parents dive-bombed the two of us while the chick, mouth open wide and pink, demanded food. No worms or grubs in my kitchen, but I found a can of "Turkey Bits in Gravy" cat food. The chick was easy to feed with a teaspoon. After each mouthful, it opened wide for more and quickly devoured the whole can.

Meanwhile, Ralph (6'4") climbed a ladder and on up into the tall pine looking for a nest. "Found it!" he shouted and returned to my garden feeling triumphant. Together we created a shoulder strap from a dog leash and fastened it to a basket. I lined the basket with a dish towel and placed the chick inside, now full and quiet.

The parent birds circled and Ralph ascended once more with the chick in the basket, firmly attached by the dog leash. Now nearly at the top, he plopped the baby into her nest. He shouted, "Hooray, but one of the damned big birds just pooped on me."

Laughing now, in the quiet of the yard, I told Ralph that he had just paid it forward.

He said, "I shall continue to pay it forward when I return to Germany!"

God Speed, Ralph. I'll miss you.