I am a big fat bird. I cannot fly. Nor can I carry my bulky body at 70 km/h on my ridiculously large legs. Nor can I swim at the coldest, darkest depths of the ocean to hunt for fish. The only unique mark bestowed upon my kin is this charming sense of humour and charisma.

I tried to befriend any who is close: the little squirrel resided on the tree nearby my nest, that sneaky mole rat who tended to pop up out from the ground every now and then, and recently, the Dutch sailors and their pets (pigs, dogs, rats,.. ) - poor things, I know better than to let those humans, as courteous and warm as they are, address me as their "pets".

One day, the gentlemen invited me on board with such force that, depends on the recipient's opinion, can be passed as either forceful or enthusiastic. As one adept in the art of charming and being charmed myself, it is only obvious that I chose to opt for the latter, ignoring the ropes restraining my whole body.

On board, the "pets" were already digging into their own meals- eggs. How coincidental that my own eggs have been stolen lately!

The sailors called me "snacks", a nickname they gave me as we became closer - which when cited in the context of a meal made chills run down your spine rather than making you feel appreciated.

I was their food, their easy catch, since when came into sight of those human beings, my kind, rather than running for our lives, stayed to see through our own demises.

I am a big fat bird. I cannot fly. The only unique mark bestowed upon my kin is neither humour nor charisma but foolishness and gullibility.

I am the dodo bird, one of the earliest victims to the unending slaughter of mankind. I am, and forever will be, extinct.