Therapy - By Kai Qi Siew

Written By: Kai Qi Siew

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Kai Qi Siew introduces us to a heartfelt narrative titled "Therapy." This short story delves into the profound companionship between the protagonist and a majestic bald eagle named Igor. With themes of healing, resilience, and the unique bond between human and animal, the story captures the transformative power of unexpected friendships. As readers journey through the protagonist’s past trauma and subsequent recovery, they are invited to witness the beauty of connection and trust.

About the Work

"Therapy" is a moving short story that paints a vivid picture of companionship and healing through the relationship between a human and an eagle. The narrative is rich in imagery, portraying Igor's elegant movements and the protagonist's emotional journey with poignant clarity. The story explores themes of vulnerability, trust, and the search for peace, offering a touching depiction of how life-changing connections can arise from the most unexpected encounters.

Therapy

Original Submission by Kai Qi Siew

Therapy

If you want to see perfection in action, watch my eagle called Igor, my 4-year-old hand raised bald eagle. Picture a snow-white head and tail, a dark chocolate-brown body, and a bright yellow hooked bill, eyes and feet doing neat tricks, isn’t that a sight to behold? I have my finger on the pulse with regard to his training. This trick was one of the neatest ones out of them all - and surprisingly, his favourite too! He starts by slowly gliding on the low level, getting used to that rush of energy through his bones. He flaps its powerful wings twice,slowly levitating himself higher off the ground. Then, right where the two women were standing, forehead to forehead, Igor folded his wingspan, slicing stealthily in between the gap and successfully landing without touching any of their faces! I want to teach it tricks that no one has ever done before. This is the fifth trick it can do!

Igor obeys my voices, my whistle, and he watches my signals acutely. He has a mind of his own, and so do I, so communicating with each other is key. I wouldn’t call him my puppet, a pet, or a friend;I would prefer to call him my family. With Igor’s obedience and my clear, direct instructions, we made such a good team. The first step was to teach Igor how to execute two flaps after gliding and how to transition steadily from low ground to high ground. What we wanted to achieve was perfection, the ability to be without touching either woman and still fly effortlessly. No matter the outcome of the trick - fail or success - we still felt the rush of contentment in our bones. I never knew that these majestic eagles would be great companies in life.

You’re probably wondering how I was able to meet such a majestic creature. It all began with a motorcar pile up accident. After the motorcar pile up accident, I was rendered paralysed with chronic fears when in public. Often, I had my head in the clouds as I feared mixing with people. My life was a blur- I couldn’t find a stable job, because whenever I saw someone, I would flinch and run away, no matter how hard I tried to stay put. If it wasn’t for that day, I decided to go on a walk in the forest, I wouldn’t have met Igor. It was like destiny, fate - I didn’t believe in it until I met Igor. He fell off a tree that day, injured. I was hesitant when I held his body in my arms - but the moment I saw his eyes boring into mine, all I saw was myself - helpless and devastated. That was the moment I decided to raise him, feeding him and letting him roam around the ranch. After he recovered, he showed off his twirls and spins in the sky every day, and when I saw his free, carefree self in his element - I felt…at peace. But I knew they would be so much more than just twirls and dives in the air. Everyday, without fail, Igor would bring two big trout from the river- one for him and one for me!

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of storytelling and poetry. Gathering writers and poets from around the world, the competition showcases a diverse range of voices and explores various themes. Participants engage in a creative exchange of ideas and narratives, contributing to a vibrant literary community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kai Qi Siew for sharing the touching story "Therapy" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your narrative of healing and companionship with Igor the bald eagle is a testament to the power of unexpected friendships. We appreciate your contribution to this year's competition.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.