My echo, my shadow and me...

Have I told you about the flock of sparrows that befriended me years ago? One of them has found her way back to my home. I first saw her about ten days ago. I’ve been waking up early lately, and one morning, I stepped onto my balcony and saw her perched on the railing with a dry leaf in her beak. The moment she noticed me, she flew away—and it hurt. Why was she afraid of me? Right then and there, I decided I would earn her trust and show her I meant no harm. I wasn’t sure she would return. The next day, I woke up, looked for her, but she wasn’t there. I waited for a while, then went back to bed. I ended up getting to the office late and felt gloomy all day. I almost gave up, but I couldn’t help trying again. So, I woke up a bit earlier than usual and scattered some rice grains on the balcony. To my delight, she appeared again—carrying a piece of straw as always. She landed on the railing and tilted her little head from side to side, like a scanner taking me in. Everything seemed to pau...