LULU"Lulu, we all have started to build our nest and you are stillyet to start. If you do not do so now, it might be too late foryou to raise a family in this breeding season.""I am yet to find a spot, as I am looking for a beautiful site tobuild a home for my children" replied she. "The usual ones arekind of boring and dull, and my kids deserve the best.""But this is were we have all built our nests for generations, as

it is safe and also there is safety in numbers, food and other things to build a nestare quite accessible from here" said the concerned voice.

But Lulu had her mind set. She ignored the pleading of her friend and went insearch of her dream site. This time she was desperate as she too realized that timewas running out. She flew father than she had ever done, and as she was about toreturn in disappointment, luck favored her. Her troubles have begun (when yourdesires are not reasonable, it is better to be unlucky than lucky).

She chanced upon a stream, where in themiddle of it was a small island made possibledue to a large boulder which diverted the wateron either side. She imagined her kids wakingup to the sound of gentle rippling water, andthey could just dive into their own natural poolfrom the top of the boulder. In her minds eye she could see all these things crystalclear. And she was busting with energy and joy.

She started promptly to build her nest."You idiot narrator, regular birds build nest, super momslike me build beautiful homes. Am I a super mom ornot?""Yes, Lulu, you are" (let's be silent for the rest of thestory, lest I incur her wrath)

"It seems that Lulu has finally found her spot," posed one bird to Lulu's sister asthey saw her flying with twigs and sticks in her mouth."Yes, it seems so, where ever that spot is. We have all completed our nests andhave laid eggs too and she is still building her nest."

The news spread and every one became curiousto visit the spot, as they saw her hauling building materials for a long time now.The next day they all flew with Lulu to the spot where she was building her nest,sorry, her home. When they reached there they saw an yet to be completed nest, inthe middle of a beautiful island."Lulu this is great, the choice of location is superb. I wish that I had been asdetermined as you." said one."Wow!, is this what they call paradise?" praised another.

"But, this is far away and it is quite tedious work to haul the materials needed tobuild the nest. And by the looks of it you might not complete it before the seasonends. And more over it is in the middle of a stream," even before Lulu's sistercould completely voice her concern others nodded in agreement.

But Lulu dismissed it saying, "I can do it, Am I a super mom or not?""But, Lulu, I have my doubts" replied her sister.Well, you can always count on family to encourage you, for concern and jealousyare sisters too, one can pass for the other.

To curt a long story short, Lulu was still toiling with herconstruction, just as her sister predicted, right till the endof the breeding season, as all the birds were ready to flyaway with their litter, as

winter was approaching.They all pitied Lulu. Poor creature. "Well, we warnedher," said her sister sarcastically, "fools don't deservepity. Let us hope that she has learned a lesson or two."

"Lulu, let us leave," requested one, "it is not worth the effort. You can start overafresh next year.""No," replied an adamant Lulu, "I will see to that I complete this, no matter what.Am I a super mom or not?"She said this not as a reply to the other bird, but as a battle cry to encourageherself. "Crazy" muttered some and they all left her to face the harsh winter, alone.

When they returned, the following year, they saw a beamingLulu, who somehow had managed to survive, "Welcome mates,"said a smiling Lulu as some eagerly embraced her and othersnot so much (by now you should know who).They all flew to see her home. It was beautiful. She was the

envy of the flock. What determination. What hard work.

"But, Lulu, this boulder is shaky," said her sister spoiling the party with her concern."Yes, it rained heavily one day and the gush of water loosened it slightly. Butnothing to worry, I have noticed it and it is not a matter of great concern. It is onlyslightly wobbly" replied she to an annoying sister.

But Lulu's had a true friend and she noticed the flaw in herthinking; if change comes in small increments, she will barelynotice it, before it is too late. Lulu had to be warned.But she has gone far from any reasonable argument to persuade herto change her mind and abandon her home. What should a true friend do?

The more others tried to reason with her the more determined she became to stick toher decision. (Never corner someone for they might stay cornered)"But what if the boulder comes loose and the water floods the island"persisted Lulu's annoying sister.Right then Lulu's true friend knew what what she had to do.

Later as everyone ignored Lulu and started getting busy with their own work, exceptfor her sister who was still mouthing ridicule at Lulu, the true friend caught hold ofher and praised her,"Keep doing what you are doing, for Lulu might wise up some day and listen to youand see that you are right, the river is no longer safe. You can save her from furtherembarrassment."Which in all means was not what Lulu's sister wanted. How to remedy the situation?"I am sorry," said her sister to Lulu, "I should have praised you for your hard work.Well, congratulations. Every one of us looks up to you for inspiration. Go on raiseyour kids in this beautiful place. They are blessed to have you as their mom. Andif you need any help, please let me know", saying this she flew away.

This sudden change in her sister made Lulu suspicious. Why did she praise me now,after making fun of me for so long. She thought about this."Maybe this boulder is not safe anymore?"She saw reality with new unbiased eyes.And as they say, change is hard, but today is a good day to change.