[ WP ] You are eating lunch in the park when a pigeon comes up to you and says , `` Hey , pal , can you spare a few crumbs ? ''

I was eating on the bench. I had just stolen a ham sandwich out of the open backpack of a passing man. My first meal in days. I had washed my grubby hands in the nearby river and was just about to start eating when a pigeon landed right beside the bench. It preened its feathers a bit and strutted closer to me. It cocked its head, as pigeons do. I was fine as long as it did n't steal my snack. 
 
 `` Hey, pal, can you spare a few crumbs?'' The pigeon had spoke to me. I must be delusional after not eating for three days. I took a bite. 
 
 `` Seriously, man, can I have some of your bread?'' The pigeon walked closer. 
 
 `` Go away, bird vermin.'' I pulled my sandwich closer to me. 
 
 `` Come on, I'm not trying to be rude, it's just that nobody's given up their crumbs to me for three days.'' The bird's ribs were showing under its light coat of feathers. The pigeon was in the same state as me. It had to be a hallucination. Besides, if I gave it bread, the bread would n't disappear. 
 
 `` Okay, fine.'' I ripped off half of one of my bread slices. It had mayonnaise clinging to its soft, porous structure. 
 
 `` Thanks a million, man.'' The pigeon spoke this as he gulped down the delicious bread. 
 
 Horrified, I asked: `` You're real?'' 
 
 `` Of course, mate. Would a fake pigeon need to eat?'' I chuckled. 
 
 `` You're in in the same state as me, bird. Would you like to sit on the bench with me? You can have more bread.'' 
 
 `` That would be nice, pal.'' The pigeon flapped its wings and flew up on the bench. I handed him some bread. 
 
 `` Looks more beautiful than it is, eh mate?'' The pigeon gestured to the park with his wing. 
 
 `` Tell me about it.'' I had lived here for three years after being unable to pay my rent. This bench had been my home through sun and rain, warm and cold. 
 
 `` People wander through here every day, noticing the beautiful scenery at the park, but they never once feed the pigeons. I can tell you that firsthand.'' 
 
 `` They never feed the homeless men either.'' I let out a raspy laugh which led to a cough. Some of the crumbs in my mouth spilled onto my beard. 
 
 `` Yeah, life is rough for all of us, pal.'' He swallowed the last chunk of bread. I smiled, knowing it was the truth. I had the feeling that the pigeon would be my first friend in years. 

