There once was a girl who lived in a cage.

The door was not locked but she could not leave.

Chains tied her down at the ankles that nobody could break.

On occasion, she would struggle against it but the furthest she could reach was the door.

Sometimes people would visit, but never for long.

Things of comfort would be brought from the outside and sometimes they would last, but never for long.

She would sit at the very edge of the cage and watch people.

How they traveled.

How they progressed in life.

She waited and hoped.

One day a bird flew into the cage.

It sat with her and kept her company.

It returned affection and sang on cloudy days.

The bird did not seem to mind the cage.

If anything it seemed blind to the bars.

When it flew, it often ran into the bars with a thud.

Ignoring the open door completely.

The girl was fascinated by the bird.

It was similar to her but different.

Same position but different outlook.

She became fast friends with the bird and everything it represents.

They spent a long time together.

Bonded because of the cage.

She noticed something eventually though.

The bird had stopped flying.

It seemed like it had realized that the bars existed.

There was no point in trying.

The girl became conflicted.

She loved the bird.

The bird was her best friend.

The bird could not stay there in the cage with her.

Her feelings built and built.

Exploded into the vibrant color blue.

One still day the girl made a decision.

She picked up the bird and carried it to the open door.

With a gentle throw, she ejected the bird.

For several days it sat at the entrance of the cage in confusion.

Disoriented by the separation.

It did not know what to do but not for long.

Once again it took wing.

It flew beyond view of the cage.

The girl was glad but secretly hoped it would return someday.

Flown through the door like it had never left.

Perhaps it would.

Perhaps the girl would not be left in the cage.

Alone.