This is a Robin Redbreast (Erithacus rubecula) which is native to Britain and not to be confused with it's much larger cousin the North America Robin.

This little Robin dropped into my garden today as I was writing lesson plans for an upcoming Python gig and it made me stop working and think about this creature.

My contribution to the trending #thoughtfuldailypost initiated by @wesphilbin and promoted by @melinda010100

This tiny Robin toils away every day to get enough to eat and doesn't care two hoots about the future or the state of the planet and yet somehow brings joy to us humans who see it.

Some of us are so preoccupied with the future that we miss these little gems of nature all around us? That's it. Yes you have to work to live but remember this.

Work to live, don't live to work!

I wrote my lesson plans and the world moved forward. Thank you Robin. Your visit was most welcome.

Robin Redbreast

That old BBQ pit above may get some use some time soon according to the weather forecasters?

Robin in the undergrowth

Robin checking out the bird bath

Robin turns to say goodbye

The Robin has a pretty fast and furious life which lasts just about 13 months in captivity. It reminded me of the poem by William Blake I read a million years ago.

“A Robin Redbreast in a Cage Puts all Heaven in a Rage.

A dove house fill’d with doves and pigeons
Shudders Hell thro’ all its regions.

A Dog starv’d at his Master’s Gate
Predicts the ruin of the State.

A Horse misus’d upon the Road
Calls to Heaven for Human blood.

Each outcry of the hunted Hare
A fiber from the Brain does tear.”

Source

If you would like to know more about Robins check out the link below.

The European robin, known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher.