Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Once in a Blue Moon (01/06/11)
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TITLE: Sing a New Song | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mona Purvis
01/11/11 -
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“Rebecca! What's this foreign object nestled in between my offspring? How could you?”
Rebecca hurried to cover the four Robins-egg blue eggs taking special care to warm the speckled misfit with her soft tail feathers.
“Hush, Remington! Do you want the neighbors to hear? You know perfectly well what it is.”
“And just what do you think you're going to do with it? Huh, Rebecca? Our family is well-known and respected in these parts and we've never raised no Brown-headed Cowbirds! No sir! No way! Not in my nest! Not as long as I rule the roost!”
“But, Rem, sweetheart. It's a baby. It didn't ask to be deposited in our nest...”
“Get rid of it! Now, Rebecca! You know what to do!”
“No, I simply won't!”
“Rebecca, it has to be done. Listen, I understand how you feel. You're a good mother. But, ever since time began we Robins have refused to accept these free-loaders. They're parasites! Brood parasites! We work hard to build and feather our nest and then what do they do? They drop their eggs in OUR nests! They expect us to raise their young! At the expense of our own young.”
“Remington, just because others eject them doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. We're Christians. We belong to the Love-one-another Flock not the Birds-of-a-feather Flock. This baby has done nothing wrong. What are we teaching our young by rejecting and deliberately excluding another just because he's different?”
Rebecca settled down deeper onto her brood as Remington flew off to perch on the tallest branch of the gnarled old Oak.
“PEEK!! Tut tut tut tut tut...couldn't help overhearin', Rem. You gotta stand firm with her. We don't want that kind growin' up with us Robins. Man, we're special! Poems and songs are written about us! We're the state bird in this here state! We've got a reputation to think about! It's Robin Hood, not Cowbird Hood!” Rascal Robin sat on the branch next to Remington sharing his unsolicited opinion.
“Leave me alone, Rascal!”
Rebecca sat quietly pondering in her heart what she should do. She had always obeyed Remington. He was a good mate and father. He worked hard to supply their needs. These babies would be hatching in a few days and she would need his help protecting and feeding their chicks. But, how could she reject the Cowbird? Didn't the Creator care for him, too? Rebecca hid her head and prayed.
The sun was sinking low behind the trees as Remington returned home. He slowly made his way to the nest trying not to disturb his sleeping family.
“Rem?”
“Yes, love. Go back to sleep.”
“We have to talk...”
“I know...”
“Well?”
“Rebecca, you're right. Who are we to be so proud? But, for the Grace of God, that could be us abandoning our young? It won't be easy...”
“Do you mean it? We can...?”
“Yes, we're going to do what's right. Others can do as they choose, but for us and our family, we'll serve our Creator. We'll show our Robin family what a difference love makes, when we set our selfishness aside and love one another as God intended.”
It wasn't easy, but, oh, what a blessing.
Carver Cowbird grew up to be something of a legend. His ministry, Cowbirds For Christ, is effective in teaching others about Jesus. Remington and Rebecca filled the forests with their offspring.
On a peaceful, summer morning the trees are alive with singing. All because that once in a blue moon someone chose a better way.
He-he-he-he-he-he-he...tut tut tut tut tut...
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I'd never heard of cowbirds, so I looked them up. The mother, after laying her egg in a nest, may stick around and watch if the foster mom boots the guest egg out, the cowbird will often destroy the foster mom's eggs.
Add this tidbit and you could really make some great points about life in a children's book.
I really hope you consider it, if I can help I will. This is a story many parents and kids alike need to hear. Plus it would be the book that many kids would beg to hear over and over.