A Brahmachary monk had found a sick eagle on the ashram grounds.  The ashram temple is situated on the warm seaside of Amritapuri, India.  Being from the West, I noticed that this eagle was not the usual black and white color found on the West coast of British Columbia, but instead was brown-feathered with a white head and neck.  From regular feeding of ashram food (given by the brahmachary) it gradually regained its health and came to trust the ashram residents.  However, that was just the beginning.

Because the beautifully feathered eagle felt at home in the temple facility, it could be found lurking from time to time atop the supporting columns and walkway railings that stood near the Western cafe' food stand.   Here at the cafe' hundreds of foreign travellers visiting the temple could sit and eat a prepared pizza or french toast to offset the daily, hot and spicy meals offered by the ashram main kitchen. 

This eagle was always ready to act as eagles do...and that meant continuously searching out its next meal.  Besides hunting out mice, fish, and snakes, it sought out alternative sources of nutrition.  This bird was different.  It was now a member of the Amritapuri temple life.  It's pastime was stocking unwary visitors in the ashram dining lounge!

Sounds a little frightening at first, but my first observation of this jokester in action gave me such a laugh that I must tell the story.  A German fellow and his buddies had just bought pizza slices and were heading towards the tables beside the temple hall to enjoy the meal.  The eagle was quietly perched on the column overlooking the dining area.  We had called out to the pizza lovers to be wary of the eagle, but these guys just didn't seem to understand, yet.  

As these fellows were slowly walking to the table, one of the German's decided to take a bite out of his mouth-watering pizza.  But, just as he was about to sink his teeth into the first delicious bite, the eagle swooped down and skilfully grabbed the slice of pizza out of the fellow's hand!!   Shocked, and not sure whether to laugh or get angry, the unfortunate German headed back to purchase another slice.

A few days later, after forgetting the entire affair, I found myself about to enjoy some toast and oatmeal for my breakfast in the cafe' dining area.  I just loved sitting with the many different visitors continually coming and going through the ashram facility.  It was usually a time of laughter, joy and story telling.  I was about to bite into my toast while looking at the person sitting opposite me, when swoosh....my toast had been completely and silently removed by the talons of the passing eagle!!  Boy, was I upset.  I chose to blame the eagle instead of realizing I just wasn't paying enough attention. 

Looking back at the entire affair, I figure the eagle was playing an interesting role in the lives of the ashram diners.  If one wished to complete his meal successfully, one needed to be so alert, so present...  because that eagle was always ready to stalk unwary visitors!