If I ever had a condor dream, it would be quite different than Dennis's
wonderful reverie. I used to volunteer in the Bird House at the National
Zoo, doing odd jobs like filling the pans of food and so on. Well, one day
the head keeper was gone, and his substitute involved me in a more
interesting, and potentially bone-breaking exercise. He offered to let me
feed the Andean Condor. At the time there were two adults and their young,
and I guess they were quite eager to take a bite of the rabbit and chicken
pieces that made up their regular fare. I knew we were in trouble when the
keeper followed me in with a long pole net. He said he had it "just in
case." And sure enough, just as I laid the meat out I saw huge swooping
wings coming at me and heard the keeper yell, "Get out!" as he tossed the
pole in my direction. I did as instructed, but paused long enough to pick up
a couple feathers, which I have to this day in my classroom. I don't recall
having a dream about the incident, but if I did, I think I would wake up
relieved to be in my bed and not in a big metal cage filled with hungry
birds.

Later,

---Dave

Seattle