Xu Si's lips curved slightly as she extended her finger and carefully began to untangle the cotton thread wrapped around the tree branch.
The spotted dove shuddered, warily observing the approaching human, but it ceased its struggles while Xu Si carefully untied the cotton thread.
Once Xu Si had untied the cotton thread, the spotted dove cooed, "COO COO COO—!" As if it understood humans, it then hopped onto Xu Si's arm, extending its leg as if to say, There's more here.
"Smart little thing," she murmured. Xu Si poked the bird's smooth head with her finger, then cradled it in her palm, carefully working at the complex knot.
Birds have wings; they should soar in the sky above.
Humans have thoughts; they should reach closer to the sun.
