The Billionaire’s Hobby
Billionaire Allan Worthington’s hobby was Taxidermy. He was also an expert shot with a rifle. His speciality was birds. He could shoot down birds like no one could. His aim never failed him. He had travelled far and wide in search of birds of all hues. He would fleece the birds he shot, and stuff them with great love and care… Yes, great love and care indeed…
He had a private museum where he kept his exhibits. People flocked in to see his stuffed birds from far-off places. The museum had sparrows, parrots of different colours, love birds and other exotic birds from all over the world. But his speciality was parrots and little love birds.
But recently, the birds had started appearing in his dreams. He could see them crying and screeching. They were begging him for mercy in their own birdie ways, especially the love birds. Allan was also a sleepwalker and had other problems, too. Finally, unable to bear it anymore, he consulted a psychiatrist, who advised him to give up Taxidermy.
As soon as he got back home from the psychiatric clinic he flopped down with a bottle of Whiskey and began thinking of what he had been advised to do. His eyes closed gently. Suddenly he heard a mild screeching noise, and a beautiful multi-coloured lovebird appeared before him. Allan was moved by its beauty. It flew towards the open window. Allan smiled and slowly went after it…
The Next Morning The Headlines Screamed…
The famous billionaire Allan Worthington is reported to have killed himself by jumping out of the window of his 4th-floor apartment last night…
This is a lesson for all who love to hunt helpless birds and animals!
Yes Sundar, killing harmless birds or for that matter other animals for sport is horrendous.
Revenge of a LOVE bird?
Nice story which is an allegory that is amenable to multiple interpretation.
Yes it can be interpreted in many ways and leads to different conclusions.