The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
During a pivotal moment of being left alone at a campsite at age 12, Sue Aikens found an unexpected source of comfort in a raven. The bird's actions, including resting its head on her chest, provided what she described as the first genuine hug she had ever received.
“And he puts his wings around me and his head on my chest. The first genuine hug I had maybe ever that was so well-timed and genuine.”
“I remember this part in the book. I don't know what would lead a raven to give such a human response. It sounded like something out of a Disney film. But there was also a part of me that believed it.”