Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is about the opening scene of Mahadevi Verma's story, 'Gillu'.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The story begins with the author noticing two crows behaving strangely near a flowerpot. They were playing a game of "hide and seek."
Upon closer inspection, she finds a tiny baby squirrel that had fallen from its nest and was lying injured. The crows were tormenting the small creature, poking it with their beaks.
Birds use their beaks for eating, fighting, and interacting with their environment. The act of the crows poking the squirrel with their beaks showed their intent to harm it.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The crows were engaged in poking their beaks at the flowerpots, where the baby squirrel was lying.