CCJC Audio Podcast Episode 00036 Season 2
Etienne Forest, not exactly a city boy by choice, but by design because that’s where he recognized long ago as a Loyola University student that to make a difference in Louisiana, he needed to be where the powers-to-be were. It was while visiting his gruff, Cajun fur trapper Cajun father, Henri, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana that he began to see conservation efforts through fresh eyes.
Armed with his kayak and his loyal Catahoula Leopard Dog, Tchoupi, he set out on the bayou. Suddenly, a squawk! A young crow, its wing drooping, lay tangled in a fishing line. Etienne, ever the rescuer, expertly untangled the bird. Tchoupi, ever the protector, gently nudged the injured creature with his nose. The crow, surprisingly docile, seemed to fix its beady eyes on Etienne.
Back at his father's, Etienne nursed the crow back to health over his vacation. He named the bird "Z'yeux" which means "eyes" in Cajun French. That Fish Crow had the most intense gaze upon him at all times. The creature never seemed to avert his eyes off Etienne. Z'yeux, in turn, became inseparable from Etienne. He'd perch on his shoulder, follow him everywhere, and even tried to steal Tchoupi's food.
When Etienne returned to New Orleans, Z'yeux tucked safely in a custom-made backpack. City life, however, proved challenging for the wild bird. Z'yeux, in his new role as Avian Executive Producer for the Cajun Chronicle Podcast Corporation, caused chaos. He'd "assist" in interviews by squawking at guests, "edit" recordings by pecking at the microphone cables, and generally wreak havoc in the office.
Etienne persisted in integrating Z'yeux into his busy life. The crow, it turned out, had a flair for the dramatic. During public lectures, Z'yeux would swoop down and snatch his hat, much to the amusement (and occasional dismay) of the audience. He'd "assist" in bird counts by loudly proclaiming the presence of any feathered creature within earshot, often causing mass confusion.
Z'yeux even found his way into Etienne's conservation work, becoming an unlikely mascot. His antics, while often chaotic, brought attention to the cause, reminding everyone that even the most unexpected creatures can play a role in protecting our natural world. Etienne, Tchoupi, and Z'yeux continue these adventures, as to do so demonstrates the unpredictable and often hilarious paths that life can take.
Etienne, also in observing Z'yeux, learned a thing or two from his feathered friend. He learned about resourcefulness. Fish crows are incredibly clever at finding food and shelter. He learned about community Fish crows live in complex social groups and cooperate with each other. He learned about resilience. Fish crows also have a slight advantage over large American crows in that they have better problem solving abilities.
Probably due to the fact that they love seafood and fish, as much of Cajun Chronicles staff has learned the hard way when Z’yeaux raids their unattended lunch plates. Fish crows can survive in a variety of challenging environments.
Most importantly, Etienne learned to embrace the unexpected. Life, like a flock of crows, is full of surprises. Sometimes those surprises are chaotic, sometimes they're delightful, but they always make life more interesting.
Our tales are inspired by real Louisiana and New Orleans history, but some details may have been spiced up for a good story. While we've respected the truth, a bit of creative license could have been used. Please note that all characters may be based on real people, but their identities in some cases have been Avatar masked for privacy. Others are fictional characters with connections to Louisiana.
A Word of Wisdom:
As you read, remember history and real life is a complex mix of joy, sorrow, triumph, and tragedy. While we may have (or not) added a bit of fiction, the core message remains: the human spirit's power to endure, adapt, and overcome.
© Jerilee Wei 2024 All Rights Reserved.
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