The Dove was casually sitting, lazing around. It was such a peaceful day and he liked to chill.

 

One of his friend came for a visit.

 

"Seems like someone is enjoying much."

 

The Dove replied, "Isn't it given? The weather is just perfect."

 

"It's more perfect out here." The friend flapped his wings.

 

"Oh, please... don't start with it again."

 

"Well, I am your friend, so I want you to experience true joy."

 

The Dove didn't want to ruin the mood but here they go.

 

"What's wrong with this cage, it's golden; I get fed every two hours, unlike you who need to roam places to collect food; I don't need to care whether it's raining or of the extreme heat. It's comfortable here. You are simply jealous that I get this privilege."

 

"The privilege, you say! At what cost? It's not like you were born to be in the cage, before you had your freedom, you could roam anywhere you want, you could experience different experience, go for sightseeing, and make new friends. But now, see, how your life has turned into?! The only view you can see is the garden and your only friend is me."

 

“What’s wrong with that?”

 

The friend was exasperated. “Where is the excitement in life, my dear friend? Our life is short. Don’t you think we deserve to experience various things, explore the beauty around us, enjoy life to the fullest?”

 

The Dove shrugged. “Why go through all the hardship when you can have everything served on a golden platter.”

 

It was not the first time they went through this conversation, but the friend still tried.

 

“I can only say, the decision is up to you anyways, whether you choose the golden cage or the freedom outside.”

 

With this, the friend flew away leaving the Dove all alone, once again.

 

It’s not that the Dove hadn’t tried to set himself free. In the beginning days, when he was caged, he tried to break the bars. When the owners let him out of the cage and into the room, he searched every nook if he could find the key. He starved himself for several days hoping the owners would get tired of taking care of him and let him go, but instead he was taken to the vet doctor and injected.

 

He tried every method that he could think of. Later, he ran out of ideas, strength and hope. He resigned to his fate. He compromised with his life and surrendered to the confines within the iron bars. Gradually, his enthusiasm to set himself free faded away.

 

But there were days, when he would think,

“Will I never get to see the world outside again?”

“Will my life end here?”

“Will I not get another chance to be soaked in the rain?”

“Will I forever miss the opportunity to make friends and fly together with them?”

“Will I not get second chance at freedom?”

 

There were days when he would give up, try to adjust to the current environment, surrender to his new caged life. But even after all this time, his heart yearned for the fresh air outside which made him bold.

 

One fine day, the owner came to feed the Dove, only to find the cage door open and the Dove nowhere to be found.