Rewiring the Brain, One Barn Owl at a Time.

Writing a research paper was supposed to be mundane. Granted, the word ‘research’ itself implies an informative and somewhat stimulating process, but/however that applies only when the subject being researched is of actual interest. Yet, as I stared at the prompt intensely, scavenging my brain for compelling topics, I couldn’t help but come to a paralyzing realization: what the hell does one write about barn owls? And, better yet, how the hell do I make it interesting enough for the reader to actually finish reading?

As hopeless as I was, I continued to dig through the library’s vast array of owl-oriented books. Short-fictions, long novels, informational pamphlets, empirical falconer documentations, even short encyclopedias: there seemed to be no shortage of owl content among these dusted pillars, and I was ready to use any slightly-intriguing bit of information that I could uncover. My grade and future as a writer depended on it, and I refused to let an uninteresting, seemingly blindly-picked topic hinder my aspirations for the future. Somehow and someway, I told myself, I was going to transform the simple barn owl into an irrefutably tantalizing creature, one of mysticism, symbolic value and whimsical allure.

As the hours trickled by and the already-eerie atmosphere of the aging oak library got progressively more dim, my admittedly obscure vision started to assume some form of reality. Book by book, page by page, I was progressively captivated by the discoveries this night had already revealed to me.

“In Ancient Greece, owls were believed to be the ultimate sign of wisdom. Their qualities reflected the qualities of Goddess Athena, both being seen as protectors and sources of inspiration for those around them.”

Wow, I thought. Who would’ve thought these fluffy little mouse-birds would have so much honor attached to their name? I had mistakenly misjudged this essay’s topic by assuming barn owls to be as simple as they sounded, as uninteresting as I was disinterested. Bringing to light this ancient hidden glory that their presence entails, I was starting to believe that, somewhere underneath the layers of feathers and perpetual perplexion, maybe there was some mystique to these wide-eyed creatures.

I closed my book of choice, having surpassed my informative expectations from the book on owls in Ancient Greece. Up next was a book that harbored a much darker, more grim interpretation of the humble owl: Death Takes Flight: Analyzing the Link Between Owls and Death, as Examined Throughout Centuries.

Okay then, I thought to myself after skimming through the first few pages. I’m in for a ride with this one.

Over the course of the next hour or so, Death Takes Flight became the first research-related book that I found myself completely immersed in. A complete juxtaposition to its predecessor, this book focused on the haunting interpretations of owls as observed through different cultures in varying time periods. In a chapter focused solely on the Middle East, Death Takes Flight read, “Owls were the ultimate telltale sign of death, ruin and destruction. These animals were so ominous, that the sound of their hoot was widely understood as an implication that a bad day was coming. Their presence was an indication of souls who had perished unavenged, leaving their fates to waver directionless for all eternity.”

Wow, I thought to myself once again. What a considerable transition from the noble associations given to owls by the Ancient Greeks. I concluded the chapter with a peculiar sense of uncertainty about my research paper - how can I write about barn owls when I’m unsure exactly how I feel about them?

There was only one way to find out - I flipped the page, and continued reading.

“In the Eastern Hemisphere, the associative link between owl symbolism and death was irrefutable. Certain Asian groups held sincere beliefs that the owl was akin to a ‘death god,’ responsible for carrying souls away upon death. In a more literal, severe example, the Chinese saw the presence of an owl as a direct order to dig a grave.”

Well that’s a grave interpretation, I thought, emitting a slight chuckle at my mediocre mental pun. But I also mentally agreed with myself that it wasn’t quite as brutal as the old-age Christian interpretation of owls as “a symbol of evil and Satan himself.”

As humble as owls initially seemed to be, I found myself surprised at the widespread degree of uncertainty regarding their significance. How can one unassuming animal - adorned with adorable feathers, and wielding a pair of bulging, massive, innocent eyes - evoke such passionately conflicting opinions? What was it about this creature and its esotericism that I was missing before?

I decided I had satiated the side of me that craved foreboding intelligence, and sought out one last midnight mission: to suppress outdated influence, and instead expose exactly how the present world perceives the unassuming owl. My updated goal was now not to debate the significance and interpretations of the owl, but to solidify my own stance with the support of empirical, factual evidence. Somehow, some way, I was going to form a thesis that was both grounded and intriguing, yet unique and personal. My eyes flickered across an appealing title, and instantly I knew I had found the perfect book.

I picked up ‘Hoo, (Hoo) Am I? Uncovering Key Facts of the Modern Barn Owl,’ and once again immersed myself, one page at a time. In complete contrast with my previous literary ventures, ‘Hoo’ calmed my overly analytical mind by presenting simple, observable facts. Hoo would’ve thought facts would come handy in a research paper?

‘The barn owl, in the present era, is widely acknowledged for its spectacular educational value, often seen as a reflection of wisdom. On a more symbolic note, the barn owl is almost universally recognized for its peculiar mystery; a silent, hidden emblem of beauty in the night.’

Well that was sweet, I thought. But why is this factual book seemingly missing… facts?

‘Arguably the most widespread bird species on earth, owls come in an astonishing 46 different races. Their biological superiority in the food chain is unrivaled. No other animal compares to the owl when it comes to hunting in the dark. This spectacular creature is the sole species that can hunt in pitch darkness by the use of sound alone. Resourceful, clever, and strikingly mystical to the eye, the owl possesses a power and wonder that astounds the mind of the most sophisticated ornithologist.’

At that line, I knew I had found it. Throughout days of research, endless fact-hunting and prospective story-finding, I myself had transformed into somewhat of an owl. Quiet in the pitch-black night, razor focused on the potential/future discovery of something I had yet to discover, I had analyzed the humble barn owl with a focus and severity that could only be compared to its own hunting strategy. With my eyes glued to one singular matter and my mind shifting only to heighten my awareness, I had found my target, and didn’t rest until I finally acquired it.

I had entered the night with one simple goal: to knock out this absurdly-picked research paper, and walk away feeling confident that the angle of my paper and the quality of my writing would give me a spectacular grade. But somewhere through the night, in between pages that spanned centuries and transcended levels of comprehensive understanding, my entire perception of owls, along with my understanding of human perception, had shifted. Like the bewildering head of an owl, my own mind had been spun an almost full 360 degrees while uncovering the vast array of opinions and facts surrounding these seemingly preternatural little beings. I felt as if I was starting my paper with less certainty on its direction than I had initially started with; and yet, somehow along the way, I had acquired a stronger sense about my success on this paper.

“Throughout our lifetimes, we are bound to encounter certain things, people and experiences that shape our perceptions of the world, and challenge all that we understand to be true,” I wrote. “And oftentimes it is only once something impeccable passes, that we recognize its true beauty and significance upon reflection. With that, I introduce to you the concept of the eternal expansion of human comprehension: Is your mind only limited to what you, yourself, think to be true? Or do you possess the power and distinctive capability to discover the beauty, mysticism and wonder in all things - perhaps even something so simple as a barn owl?”