I have to be honest, I don’t really salute magpies. It’s not something that I was ever taught to do or something that I’ve seen many people do. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who salutes magpies.
But that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed them. I’ve seen plenty of magpies in my life, both in the countryside and in the city. Sometimes they are just perched on a tree, their black and white feathers shining in the sunlight. Other times, they are hopping around on the grass, looking for food.
I remember one time when I was walking in the park and I saw three magpies together. According to the rhyme, that should have meant a funeral was coming. I have to admit, it did make me a little uneasy. I kept looking around, half-expecting to see a hearse or a somber procession. But of course, nothing of the sort happened. It was just a normal day in the park, with people jogging and kids playing on the swings.
Another time, I saw four magpies while I was out for a walk. According to the rhyme, that should have meant a birth was on the horizon. I couldn’t help but wonder if someone I knew was expecting a baby. It turned out that a friend of mine did announce her pregnancy a few days later, but I’m not sure if that was just a coincidence or if the magpies had some sort of inside information.
As for bad luck, well, I can’t say that I’ve experienced any particularly bad luck after failing to salute a magpie. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs, like anyone else. But I don’t think I can attribute those to the lack of saluting magpies.
In the end, I think the whole idea of saluting magpies and predicting fate based on the number you see is just a superstition. It’s something fun to think about, but I don’t think there’s any real truth to it. So, while I may not salute magpies, I still appreciate their beauty and presence in the world.