I guess we all remember Winnie the Pooh’s famous quote that “sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart”. That’s exactly how I felt when I saw this magical friendship between a 2-year-old boy, Otto, and a wild crow named Russell.

Millions of hearts were melted when Lærke Luna shared on her social media this truly special bond between her son and the wild bird.

More info: laerke_luna

We’ve all heard stories of kids becoming friends for life with a pet of theirs, but surely no one has heard of that pet being a crow!

Image credits: laerke_luna

“When we go inside, Russell will sit outside the window because he wants Otto to go outside with him”

Image credits: laerke_luna

Image credits: laerke_luna

It all started last year in August when the woman shared on her social media that she had brought home a crow fledgling. Due to unavailability to provide for him, with his parents nowhere to be seen, the family decided to keep the poor little bird and named him Russell Crow.

“Russell is a wild bird, he’s not around all the time, but when Otto is outside, he’ll never leave Otto’s side,” says Lærke. “They have a special bond,” she adds.

And indeed, in all of the shared videos, we can see how 2-year-old Otto is patiently followed by Russell no matter where the little kid goes or what he does.

Otto is incredibly gentle with the bird and it seems there’s so much love, empathy and sincere joy between them

Image credits: laerke_luna

Image credits: laerke_luna

Image credits: laerke_luna

Of course, some days don’t pass by without funny curiosities. The woman told that the crow sometimes can be really annoying: “Don’t let his look deceive you! Russell can be a real pain in the b***… He has a thing for nipping dogs’ tails and stealing socks and pacifiers…”

Image credits: laerke_luna

It’s important to mention here that crows are considered very social; they have terrific memories and can use tools.

Some scientists compare the intelligence of the crow even to a seven-year-old human child’s. Therefore, it’s not so surprising that Russell is so happy in Otto’s company and is so attached to this loving family.

Image credits: laerke_luna

This entire heartfelt story reminded me of a British artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy and his internationally bestselling book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It was published in October 2019 and in 2023 won an Oscar as best animated short film.

The story is about the unusual friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse. They are shown on a journey together in the boy’s search for a home.

Mackesy says the boy is a reflection of him, the mole was inspired by his beloved 14-year-old dog Barney, the fox is Mackesy’s anxious part and the horse is a wise soul.

“The boy to me was always quite lonely so I would put him on a tiny landscape with snow falling. I felt like he should just sit down in the snow into his own shadow, almost as a protest about feeling so lost.”

“Human beings need connection and along comes the mole, who is the most socially courageous, he always says hello first.”

“The fox has the greatest arc in the story, with the line about being loved. When we are vulnerable with each other we are strong. They dared to show their weak side and they bonded and they found their home in each other.”

Image credits: www.thebookseller.com

Image credits: charliemackesy

Image credits: charliemackesy

“The small things in life are the big things. Love, kindness and empathy are the answer. And cake. Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things,” says Charlie Mackesy, and I couldn’t agree more with it. Otto and Russell’s friendship only proved that where there is care, empathy and attention, there’s true love and pure joy.

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People were touched by this unusual yet very sincere friendship

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