That morning, the yard was still wet with dew. On the shoulder of the uncle who was sitting, a kebo starling manuk perched proudly. Its beak is bright yellow, its orange legs grip tightly, its eyes are sharp as if it is watching the entire yard.
In our village, people call it manuk kebo, because the buffalo often follow them to the rice fields. But it is not uncommon for him to play wildly in the yard, jumping from the ground to mango branches, then coming down again to peck at insects hiding in the grass. Sometimes it makes a loud sound, "crack... crackle...," as if it were calling a friend or just saying hello in the morning.
The little children enjoyed seeing his behavior. He is not too afraid of humans, in fact he often approaches when the soil is being plowed, looking for worms that come out. When evening comes, he flies low around the roof of the house, then perches casually as if the yard is his.
That is the habit of kebo starlings in our village, free, lively and familiar with everyday life, becoming a small part of the natural harmony around the house.