the quail who thought it was a robin

as we here in the northwest are in a cold snap, i ventured out and up to the mailbox a couple of days ago to seize the window of sunshine melting some of the ice and snow.  

a flutter of robins were out enjoying the melted water for drinking and bathing their feathers.

then i noticed a quail out playing with them.  i paused in stillness hoping to get a better look.  sure enough, it was running along the ground back and forth, forth and back, playing with the robins.  

even though it could fly, it preferred to stay on the ground.  i think it really didn't know, or didn't care, that it was a completely different bird.  

it was just a simple, sweet observance that stuck with me.  like children, who will play on the playground with any and all other children.  

may we be childlike, more quail.