The Emu Has Landed

Today, just now, walking home from school, I witnessed a truly amazing sight. I was walking past the emu that lives in a field on my way home, and I thought I heard some metal clanking. Looking up, I saw that the emu (I call him Emille) was wildly assaulting the fence that separates him from the horse pasture. Suddenly, he gave up that attempt and galloped toward the opposite end of his enclosure, and started jumping on the fence where the two corners meet. I'm not sure (by this time there was a monstrous truck in front of me), but the corner came undone, and Emille jumped over the barrier and into the street, 400 West. He spryly hopped across the street and down the driveway of a neighboring house. He didn't look hurt, and it'll be a heck of a time trying to get him back.

I know he wasn't the happiest of birds, stuck in a small enclosure in Utah, on a corner, with nothing but the smells and sounds of passing cars to keep him company. He always had a fierce look in his eye, know what I mean? Glinting. Maybe that's the way all emus look, but I always felt for him. It was comforting to know that he'd be there, madly receiving a cheery "hello," glaring at your chipper waves and smiles. It was always tradition for me to look for him when I walked past.

I don't know what will happen now -- perhaps they will try to repair the fence, perhaps they will ship Emille off somewhere, perhaps (gasp!) they might put him down. He was getting old. Sigh. I will just have to keep you posted.

And anyway, there's still the llama...