Video narration
On the marsh, Tia, a young egret, practised her flight: slow wings, turns, then a landing beside her mother. Through every monsoon, her mother had taught her to fish, one patient lesson at a time. Then a flock of crows swept overhead, loud and fast. "The far paddy fields have the best pickings!" they called. Young birds watched. One joined, then another. Tia did not decide. She saw the others leaving, and staying behind alone felt worse than following. So she flew after them, like running to keep up with friends when the race is not your race. The crows raced onward. Tia pushed harder. Their speed suited their kind of flying, but not hers. When the fields appeared, her wings were aching. That was the moment following stopped feeling like belonging. You do not have to match everyone's speed to belong. The right pace keeps you strong.