'Why blend in when you can stand out?' thought the dove.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and greenery as I wandered deeper into the zoo. There it was—a dove poised on a rugged branch, its feathers painted with the palette of an artist who'd just discovered joy. Its chest was adorned with delicate patterns that looked almost hand-stitched. I stood still, watching it shift ever so slightly as if aware of its audience but too dignified to acknowledge it. Around us, the world hummed with life—leaves rustling in whispered conversations and distant calls of other creatures. But this small bird held its ground like a philosopher lost in thought. For a moment, I envied its quiet confidence.