There used to be a swallow nest at the post office in my neighborhood. The mother and father swallows flew in and out, and the baby swallows waited in the nest for food. About 10 years ago, the nest disappeared. I think that the post office manager took it down. Some customers probably complained about the swallow droppings, but I was sad. We don’t see swallows in my neighborhood anymore. People are taking down swallow nests all over Japan. This is bad news. The swallows come from the south in spring to eat insects. If there are fewer swallows, there will be more insects. That isn’t good for farmers or city people. A printing company in Nagoya wanted to help so it worked with a birding group and made a special shelf to catch the droppings. They hope that people will use the shelf and stop taking down swallow nests.  (150 words)

You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com