“That’s why we are journeying on this journey now, \ Trudging along with basket, pot, and myrtles, \ To find some quiet easy-going spot, \ Where we may settle down, and dwell in peace.”
~ ‘The Birds’ by Aristophanes (Benjamin B. Rogers translation. GB5 - p. 542)
The story starts with two Athenians, Peisthetaerus and Euelpides, wandering in a desolate area, each carrying a bird, a crow and a jackdaw, respectively, as their guides. They had set out in search of Tereus, who was an Athenian in the past and had transformed into a bird (Hoopoe). They wanted to find a better place to settle down and live in peace since they were fed up with Athens’ endless lawsuits and political chaos. Finally, they meet Tereus, who gives some suggestions on places, but Peisthetaerus does not like them and says that the birds should create their own city.
Hoopoe calls all the birds to gather. Initially, they see none coming, but slowly, there is a mass entrance of a lot of different types of birds. The moment the birds get to know that there are humans with Hoopoe, they are alarmed and feel betrayed. They get ready to attack the humans. Hoopoe asks the birds to give Peisthetaerus a chance to talk. He talks very eloquently and convinces the birds that they are actually older than the gods and they should claim their ancient right to rule. The plan is simple - build a bird city between the sky and the Earth. Build a wall in the city and intercept sacrificial offerings or prayers from humans to gods and also to block gods from going to humans. The Chorus asks several questions and Peisthetaerus has answers to everything. He explains how birds can enforce their power, how they can answer the prayers of people (give weather forecast, reveal treasures), what people want (wealth, health) and that people would be happy to not have to build expensive temples or travel to far off places to meet oracles.