Be patient and wait your turn

“Tell me again why are we sitting here?”  “We’re waiting our turn.”  “Yes but why?  The baskets are just hanging there and no one is at them.”  “Look, that’s just the way it is, first it’s the blue ones, then it’s the black ones and then it’s our turn.” 

“But the black ones can go anytime, they just hang around underneath.”  “No, not those black ones, I mean the ones with the black heads.  We come after them and they come after the blue ones.”  “I don’t get it, no one is there at the moment and we’re all just sitting around.  Why do we have to wait for the blue ones to start?”  “I’ve no idea.  I didn’t make up the rules, that’s just the way it has always been, certainly for as long as I can remember.  First it’s blue, then black then it’s us.   I think it’s what you call the natural order of things.” 

“The sun will up in a few minutes and then it will all start, you’ll see.  Anyway you should know this by now you’ve been here often enough.”  “I just don’t get it.  It doesn’t seem fair to me.  We’re all just sitting round and for some reason we have to wait for the blue ones to make their move.” 

“Why don’t you sing for a bit?  It’ll take your mind off things.  I’ll start and you can join in.  How about it?”  “OK I suppose so.” 

“Why can’t we go down below the baskets like the big black ones?”  “Oh no, we can’t do that it’s far too dangerous.  Something will creep up on us and we’ll be dead and gone before you can whistle.”  “So how come they get away with it?”  “The big black ones?”  “Yeah.”  “They don’t always but they look out for each other.  They shout out when one of them sees danger, like an early warning.  Very useful for all of us really.  I guess they think it’s worth the risk.  Anyway, the stuff in the basket isn’t really their thing.  They’ll eat it if it’s lying there but they prefer to just grub around to see what they can find.” 

“Hey look, there’s the red one pushing in.”  “Who, Robin?”  “Yes, that’s him, how come he doesn’t follow the rules and wait his turn?  You’d think he owns the place.”  “He does, it’s his turf!  I wouldn’t mess with him.  When he puffs himself up like that he’ll fight anyone, so we just let him get on with it.” 

“Look, the blue ones have come down.”  “That’s good, won’t be long now.”  “Leave some for us!”  “Don’t worry there’s plenty left.  They put some fresh out only yesterday.”  “Did they?  Why do they do that?”  “Do you know, I have absolutely no idea but it does seem odd.  Anyway, here we go, it’s our turn now.  Be careful, keep a look out and…”  “And what?”  “Bon appetit!”