On a street light in Jeddah, an interesting dialogue took place between two crows. The first crow’s name was Jekyll and the second was Hyde. They migrated to Jeddah when they heard from a cousin there that they should come and join in the easy life that all crows have in Jeddah.
Hyde: Aren’t you happy to be in Jeddah?
Jekyll: Yes, I am. There are so many delicious dead cats in the streets every morning and no one bothers to scoop them up and take them away. Delightful!
Hyde: Indeed. Besides, no one complains about us and we certainly do not want to draw attention from the officials in Jeddah. We are on to a good thing and don’t want to be deprived of our easy lives.
Jekyll: We mustn’t forget to thank the people who are here illegally. They dig in the garbage and make it easy for us to find our food. And you ask me if I am happy — of course I am. Where else would I find such peace and harmony between garbage collectors and crows, especially in the morning on Jeddah’s beaches? You know the beaches — the things that people cannot see because of all the ugly buildings and private houses blocking the view.
Hyde: What do you mean by peace and harmony between us and the garbage collectors?
Jekyll: The garbage collectors are so thoughtful. Because of the amount of garbage left on the beaches, they cannot take it all away so there is always plenty left for us. We help them and they help us.
Hyde: Do you think these blessings will last? Can we stay in Jeddah forever?
Jekyll: Of course we can. The officials in Jeddah have a wonderfully careless attitude. Their inaction is our good fortune. Oh, I am so happy and well-fed in Jeddah!
Arab News Features 3 January 2003