Since I was a child, the world around me seemed to move at a different pace than mine… My glasses, my fascination with books, and a mind that often wandered down unexplored paths made me a different kind of kid, observing life from a self-imposed distance.
In that stillness, in the silent echo of my childhood solitude, I heard a desperate cry… a tiny wail that made me run outside. There, on the edge of danger, lay a small parrot—helpless, with a cat lurking nearby with dark intentions. Without hesitation, I scooped her up in my trembling hands. The warmth of her little body, the unheard-of softness of her feathers, the vibrant colors I had never seen so closely… everything about her was a new and fascinating universe.
I named her Pachita, not knowing that this chance encounter would plant the seed of my vocation and fill the emptiness of my inner world.
Pachita became my shadow, my silent confidant during those years of introspection. In her bright eyes, I discovered unconditional loyalty—a pure and sincere connection that went beyond words. Her soft chirps asking for food, her clumsy attempts to imitate the songs of passing flocks… melodies that resonated only in my heart. Watching her, studying her behavior, her animal ethology, sparked an unstoppable passion for the world of veterinary medicine.
We were our own little universe: I, her great human love, and she, my little emerald-feathered friend… so loyal and attached to my care. It was magical to witness the mastery of her flight, the way she came to me without being called, even her protective instinct when others approached. And her whistle! A unique melody that filled my days with joy, just like her happy splashing during baths and her delicate way of tasting the fruits I offered.
One of the memories most engraved in my heart is the day Pachita perfected her landing on my shoulder at the sound of my whistle. Hours of patient practice culminated in that act of absolute trust. I have never loved an animal so deeply. I never clipped her wings, fully aware of the freedom I would be denying her.
One day, the excitement of a goal during a soccer match made my father clap loudly. Startled, Pachita took off… my heart sank at the feeling of loss. But joy returned a few days later when I saw her come back—she wasn’t alone! A strong male accompanied her. I then understood her need for community.
I built a home for them on my terrace: an old wine barrel transformed into an open-air hotel. Over time, entire flocks came to share food, as if an invisible message ran among them. It was a wonderful sight that sadly faded with the advance of urbanization, tree felling, and the transformation of green areas into gray landscapes. That loss deepened my longing to live in the countryside… surrounded by birds’ freedom and devoted to their conservation.
Although my heart was saddened when Pachita first left, her return with others of her species revealed a fundamental truth: true freedom for a wild animal lies in its natural habitat, among its own kind. Seeing her interact with her mate, grooming each other, hearing their songs in chorus… it was an invaluable lesson.
Pachita, my Pionus menstruus, left me with unforgettable lessons. She showed me the authenticity of friendship, the unconditional loyalty of a living being. She taught me to embrace my individuality, to not feel different… to even use that difference in my favor! Like when she pecked at people who came too close, earning me a peculiar reputation among my friends.
Imagining Pachita free, soaring through the emerald skies of her home, fills me with a pure and indescribable happiness. Freedom is the essence of life. What meaning does existence have without the ability to be and move according to our own desires? No innocent being should ever be deprived of it.
This deep connection with Pachita, this awakening of my vocation through her fleeting yet transcendent presence, not only shaped my solitary childhood—it laid the foundation for my path as a veterinarian. My daily work is driven by the same passion I felt when I first held that little parrot in my hands; the fervent dedication to the health and well-being of wildlife.
The dream of visiting her world, of seeing up close the reserves that protect these wonderful creatures, is not just a personal longing: it is the conviction that I can learn from those sanctuaries and contribute to their conservation. I long to be an active part of protecting the winged beauty that once came to my window in the form of an emerald whisper… a whisper that guided me toward a life devoted to preserving the freedom I so dearly treasure for every living being.