A Feathered Escort

I was vaulting along the flat top of the backyard wooden fence when a plump gray sparrow landed barely three inches away, flicking dry lichen dust everywhere! Reflexes flared, but instead of diving for cover, I held perfectly still in a balanced crouch. It cocked its tiny head, black beady eye locking onto mine, completely unbothered by my red and blue suit. A dried sunflower seed was wedged right between two weathered splintered cedar boards, so I gave it a gentle nudge with the toe of my boot. The bird hopped forward, scooped it up with a crisp snap of its beak, and fluttered off into the maple canopy. Neighborhood relations officially established!