Negan

8th Jan, 2025

Narrated and photos supplied by Lala Hassein 

I am Negan, and I have a beautiful family that loves me. I was perched in my favourite spot, the world outside my window a canvas of colours and sounds.

Then, in an instant, on the 6th of September 2024, I did something that I never, ever want to do again. My brother Tariq was leaving for work; I saw the door open and I flew away. My family stood with mouths agape. And HELPLESS!

The wind was strong and it scared me. I landed on who I thought was my dear mum, June. This person had the same length hair as her. However, to my horror, it wasn’t.

Before I knew it, I was whisked away, some 765km to Centurion; away from everything I knew in Port Edward.

At first, I was terrified. The new place was foreign, and I longed for the warmth of my mum’s sweet voice, and Tariq, and my sister, Lala’s, strokes. I mostly missed breakfast with my dad every morning.

Days turned into weeks, each one filled with more fear and uncertainty.

I missed my familiar surroundings, the safety of my cage, and the love I’d taken for granted.

Unbeknown to me, my family back home were in utter despair of my disappearance.

They scoured the neighbourhood, posted flyers and reached out on social media, hoping against hope that someone would see me and return me to my rightful owner.

Their anguish was unbearable. They felt that a piece of their hearts had been ripped away.

Then, one day it happened. I was handed to Bambi Horak, a lady who cares for lost birds. She took very good care of me – my only sadness was that she clipped my wings. I was devastated. Was I ever going to fly again? My mum never, ever clipped my wings.

As luck would have it, Bambi saw my post on Lost & Found Parrots KZN and she immediately contacted my family. The elation they felt during a video call cannot be described.

The journey back was long and daunting.

Once they were sure it was me, my dad immediately made arrangements with a family friend, uncle Manie Van Staden. He quickly came to fetch me and take me to his home in Mooiplaas, 147.7km away. I stayed with uncle Manie for a while until my mum’s friend, uncle Jan, picked me up and took me to Cullinan, 142.9km away; I was getting closer to my family home.

There was snow blocking the roads and no one could pick me up, so I stayed in Cullinan for a few more days until the snow cleared up. My mum’s very good friends, Avis Meresman and Bernadette Fernandez, came all the way from Pietermaritzburg (542.2km) just to pick me up – I’m a loved birdie!

They took me on a little overnight holiday to Carnival City Casino, then to Umlaas Road, 82.9km – the ladies had some work to do there – and then by road to Cato Manor, 54.0km, and to Hillcrest, 25.0km, where my dad and my sister were waiting for me; we then drove back home to Port Edward, 186.8km.

This is my story. Isn’t this so amazing how I got back to my family? I travelled approximately 1947.1km to get back home where I’m loved unconditionally, even though I’m so naughty but a cutie pie. I was handed from one caring family to another and finally reunited with my own family.

When I was finally in the arms of my loving family, I was met with a mixture of joy and sorrow. I was back, but I carried the weight of my experience with me.

Now, I’m learning to trust again, slowly finding my way back to the life I once knew.

Though my heart still carries scars, I’m determined to embrace the love and safety that awaits me. My story is one of resilience – a reminder that even after the darkest moments, there’s always a way to go back to the light.

My sister, Lala Hassein, helped me write my story. Thank you, my Lalabear!

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