When the chilly winter dawn fills the sky with the flutter of wings and flocks of birds arrive from distant lands, it feels as if nature itself is singing a song of new life. Hidden in that melody lies an eternal truth of existence - every arrival is destined for departure, every life comes to this earth as a guest. Guest birds travel thousands of miles - their destination unknown, yet their purpose clear: to live, to survive, and to return again.
Their arrival breathes new life into the wetlands, rivers, and deltas of our land. Amidst the misty mornings, the sounds of their chirping and the ripples of their wings on water make it seem as though nature is dressed in joy.
Yet, within that joy lies a profound realisation - we humans too are mere guests on this earth, here for only a brief moment. Some live long, some short, but in the end, every journey leads to the same destination. Just as the migratory birds return to their true home when the time comes, we too must one day return to our origin - to the embrace of the earth itself.
Still, like the guest birds, we should also strive to leave something behind - love, beauty, compassion, and a sense of responsibility. For even if life is short, its meaning can be infinite. As Rabindranath Tagore beautifully said, "The length of life is not important; its depth is."
The arrival of migratory birds is not merely a festival of nature - it is also a message of humanity. They teach us that the earth has no borders; the sky and air belong to all.
They fly beyond barriers of religion, race, language, and politics - reminding us that the true beauty of life lies in freedom and coexistence. Sadly, we often forget this message. By hunting these birds and destroying their sanctuaries, we are not only disrupting nature's balance but also diminishing our own humanity.
And yet, a little kindness and a little love could restore the safety of their skies. No one on this earth is permanent - neither humans nor birds. Everyone departs one day, but what remains is the beauty they leave behind.
Rashedul Islam
Department of Islamic Studies
University of Chittagong
