Calls of a Nightjar brings back memories

It was 02:35 AM. Hmm, dozed off in front of the TV while watching Discovery channel. After a warm shower, I heard the calls of a "long lost friend", the Nightjar (burung punggok or the tong-tong bird). Living in the sub-urbs of a city like KL, the calls of the Nightjar could seldom be heard. Even if I get to hear it, it would usually be for a short while, probably disturbed by those noisy motorbikes that passed by it.

Whenever, I heard its typical "tong, tong tong" calls, my mind would "fly" back to the times when I was a boy living in Asamkumbang, Taiping. The calls of the Nightjar could be heard almost every night. One bird could be seen on its regular spot which was the letter box along the road to my house. I would see this bird whenever I passed by the letter box at night, while cycling home after tuition from Kamunting (yes, youngsters of those days rode bicycles, unlike spoilt teens nowadays ride motorbikes). That is why I regard the Nightjar as an old "friend".

While studying in the late hours of the night, the calls of the Nightjar could be heard often, sometimes echoed by another bird somewhere nearby.

Oh...it is quiet already. The bird must have flown away, there was a noisy motorbike that passed by just now.
Bye-bye, my old friend. Do visit me again.