Snack Attack

I had an interesting conversation with a magpie the other day. Well, it was more of a spontaneous duck and dive dance accompanied by a one-sided conversation about the application of Piaget and Freud’s theories of cognitive development.

Let me explain.

I had, just that morning, submitted the latest course work for my Diploma, which had largely focussed on the various theories of human development.  To reward myself I had purchased a fresh jam donut from the local bakery and taken myself to my favourite reading spot in the hills.  I had just opened my book and taken a delectable first bite of my much looked forward to treat, when a mischievous magpie landed on the table directly in front of me.

For a fleeting moment I considered the option of shooing the bird away.  However, I have vivid memories of my sister being attacked by a magpie many years ago, which resulted in a broken elbow, and since this bird was less than a foot away from me, I decided it was probably best for me to not go on the attack.

As one does, I instead started a conversation with my unexpected visitor.  I asked if he yet had an understanding of the concept of object permanence.  He didn’t answer, so I decided to conduct an experiment.  I hid the donut in my lap, under the table, hoping the bird would think that it no longer existed.

No such luck.  This plucky creature instead hopped across the table to stand a few inches to my side, eyeing my treat and arching his back in readiness to retrieve it from my lap. 

“Hmm”, I said. “It seems you are past the Sensori-motor stage.  You must be at least 8 months old.”

He looked at me rather funny, so I turned my back and took another bite.  Between chews I informed my new friend that there was no way I was going to share.  My Freudian ID was stronger than his, and his mediatory ego was going to have to be put to work.  So there.

Initially he didn’t listen.  Instead, we engaged in a short, ungainly Tango as we argued over who belonged to the sticky treat.

After a time though, he proved that he was more humanly developed than I am. After giving me the beady eye, he flew away like a gentleman, while I less decorously gobbled the rest of my donut.

I have since recalled that magpies are highly intelligent birds and are known to remember the faces of people they perceive as threats.

Next time I think I’ll eat my donut at home.

Nikki