The photo shows a male cockatiel sitting on a red-striped rope, peering down with a quizzical look.
The author’s photo of Louie, her cockatiel.

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My Cockatiels Bring Me Joy Every Day

Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle

Sarah Ouellet
Six Word Photo Story Challenge
2 min readNov 9, 2024

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Hello, were you talking to me?

At one time, I housed over thirty cockatiels. They all knew their names and responded when I spoke to them. Death, due to aging and occasionally disease, thinned my beloved flock to my present ten— all but three are now middle-aged or seniors.

Louie, the handsome guy peering down in the photo, is approaching senior status. Like many middle-aged males, he has a young second mate. I must clarify this statement if you think he is a callous guy who abandoned his first love. No, that is not the case. Unfortunately, she died five years ago, leaving him distraught.

Finn is a godsend for Louie, the sweetheart who serenades me and her with endless “pretty bird” and “hey, good-looking.” He presses his head against my cheek and coos to me. I feel loved.

His second mate is about ten years younger, a beautiful, little, brown female who resembles Louie’s first love in her body shape. She has a robust build, unlike her smaller sister. Louie noticed the similarities as Finn matured and sprang into action before one of the other lonely males (the boys outnumber the girls nowadays) won her heart.

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Six Word Photo Story Challenge
Six Word Photo Story Challenge

Published in Six Word Photo Story Challenge

Monthly six word story writing challenges inspired by photos taken by yourself

Sarah Ouellet
Sarah Ouellet

Written by Sarah Ouellet

I am an old, opinionated woman who loves animals and nature. I feed stray cats, skunks, possums, and birds.

Responses (22)