I watched as a pigeon landed nearby with a piece of bread, far too big to eat. He started to wrestle with it, his beak shaking it about trying to break it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
All this activity did not go unnoticed. Another pigeon saw the commotion and flew in to investigate. Seeing such a grand feast, he challenged for possession.
The defendant dropped the bread and stood his ground. But the challenger was intent on getting the prize. He moved in, aggressively. A fight ensued, with both pigeons slugging it out, beak to beak. No quarter was asked, and no quarter was given.
The two antagonists kept up the fracas for a short while, making lots of movement and a great deal of loud noise.
But the fight was being observed from on high. At the opportune moment, a seagull swooped in, his great beak aiming at the target. He landed, gulped the bread down, and left, just as quickly as he had appeared; all in one smooth movement.
The antagonists looked on, stunned, and went on their way, hungry.
Watching this drama unfold, I realised that whenever we focus on our disagreements, we lose sight of the bigger picture.
And we risk losing everything.
Greenacre 9 