Protima's Silence

A tale for the kingfisher

A big brownheaded kingfisher sat upon a branch of the enormous tree that grew beside the  village jheel. He had just caught a fish, as large as its bill, and was bashing it vigorously to stop it wriggling. A trio of sparrows, perched on another branch, watched him curiously, waiting to see if he would be able to swallow it whole. The kingfisher gulped d…