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Overview
I Can Fly! is a story about a young bluebird who learns that being disobedient can likely lead to trouble, physical pain and heartache. Bluey is an adorable, yet mischievous tree-bird who finds himself locked away in a cage where he eventually has time to think about the problems he has caused himself, his friends, and his mother.
Bluey learns from the consequences of his behavior. First, he understands that rules are made to protect him, and second, that by doing what is right he can remain happy and free.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781481717328 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 03/22/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 1 |
| File size: | 6 MB |
| Age Range: | 9 - 12 Years |
About the Author
Judith was born and raised on the breathtaking Island of Bermuda located in the Atlantic Ocean. She discovered her talent for writing as a child and has since become a published author.
Some of Judith's poetry was included in the "Portraits of Life" and "A Season of Flowers", which were both published by The National Library of Poetry.
As a teenager, Judith did not take her literary skills seriously until she discovered herself writing musical lyrics and poems for her friends. When her friends requested more of her writings, she began to understand her gift of writing. From those moments Judith was joyfully inclined to meet their needs.
Judith's inspiration to write, I Can Fly, came to her during her daily walks about her hilly property as she quietly watched birds of various species play and sing together. She watched their behavior and how they interacted with each other. In a way, they acted like humans.
The story focuses on consequential behavior or the management of behavior and its consequences. Judith raised her two sons to live by the laws of the land and by the rules of her home. She also taught Galatians 6:7, which reads, "Be not deceived (or not be led off course by other's influences); God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Read an Excerpt
I Can Fly!
By Judith Nell Taylor-Dill
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2012 Judith Nell Taylor-DillAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-5840-1
Chapter One
A Wise Bluebird
"Good Morning Bluey," chirped Mama Bluebird as they awoke to a beautiful spring morning surrounded by white fluffy clouds overhead. Below, the flowers and leaves danced to the cool breeze floating across the air.
"Good Morning Mama," replied Bluey. As soon as Bluey was wide awake, he exited the Spiceberry tree cavity and perched himself alongside his mother and chirped loudly and repeatedly to get her attention. He was hungry!
Mama Bluebird then whisked away from the tree branch with a smile to fetch his favorite breakfast of crickets and worms. She quickly returned and fed the delicious insects into his opened beak.
"Look below!" exclaimed Bluey as he looked down towards the Brown's house. It was the Brown's cat, Kitty. Mrs. Brown had just filled Kitty's bowl with cat food. Bluey enjoyed its aroma.
"She's eating from her pretty red bowl," Mama said. She thought Bluey was excited about the red bowl. "Are you thinking about having your own bowl to eat from?"
But Bluey's thoughts were not on the bowl. Too focused at what was happening below, he did not hear Mama Bluebird's question and immediately asked her, "Mama, wouldn't it be wonderful to have our meals brought to us by a kind human who cares for us? Wouldn't that make you feel special?"
"It might," she replied.
"Would you prefer to be cared for by a human instead of by me?" she questioned."
Bluey hesitantly shook his head from side to side. At this point he was unsure, but he admired the service that Kitty received from the Brown's.
"Good," she said, "Because no human can replace the bond I have with you. No human will love you as I do!"
Nearby, Chickadee, who was a very good friend of Mama Bluebird, heard what Bluey said. He politely interrupted and shared Kitty's past.
Chickadee knew just about everyone and everything that happened in the neighborhood. He was always excited to share stories with just about anyone. Sometimes he was careless and said too much.
"Kitty is a pet of the Brown's. She was left behind by someone who didn't want her when they moved," he said as he flapped his wings. "The Brown's take care of her, and in return, she provides companionship. They also love to cuddle with Kitty and stroke her wooly fur."
Mama added, "It's similar to how I take care of you, Bluey. I feed you. You have a nest that is a construct of the finest grass, plant stems and pine needles. I even lined it with hair and feathers to make it softer. But, unlike the Brown's with Kitty, I care for you in a different and special way. I nurture your strengths and encourage you to be the best Bluebird in the world. Listening, learning and working hard are basis for your future success and independence. While you are with me, you will learn to be an independent bird, one day at a time."
Kitty was not nurtured to be independent," continued Mama Bluebird. "She continues to rely on the Brown's for everything. Kitty is a good cat, but she has become very lazy as an adult. I don't want you to become as dependent on others, like Kitty."
"One day Bluey," continued Mama Bluebird, "You will have to catch your own crickets and worms to eat. I won't always be around to feed you."
Bluey thought while he listened to his mother. He listened and wanted to understand.
"I do want you to be happy and to live freely, though at the same time, I want you to be mindful of your actions. By listening to your elders and playing fair with your friends, you will grow up to be a wise bird. Wisdom will permit happiness into your life," advised his mother.
Thinking that the lecture was over, Bluey questioned his mother, "Really?"
He was trying to fly outside and play, but his mother continued.
"Not to be hard on Kitty, but all she does is walk back and forth across the lawn – either to the front veranda or to the back yard of the Brown's. She also sleeps most of the day. It appears, Kitty has lost her sense of freedom. Is that what you want, Sweetheart?"
Bluey shook his head, "No."
Kitty's Legend
Sitting in a nearby tree covered with few leaves, Chickadee, Mr. Sparrow and Monarch the butterfly enjoyed the warmth of the morning's sun rays. Bluey flew over to have a little chat with them and to get their opinion of Kitty.
"Look at that cat. She is so lucky to have someone feed her, pet her and let her inside the house when it's too hot or too cold," Bluey commented as he watched the cat lick her paw to wipe her ears clean.
"When I was a young bird, my friends and I dared each other to see who could fly the closest to Kitty without getting caught. She would leap high into the air as we swooped over her head." Chickadee snickered as he recounted his tale.
"It's probably not best to tell the youngsters that story," Monarch chimed in. "We don't want them to get into any mischief."
Waving his wings about, Chickadee rudely ignored Monarch's request and continued with his story.
"Kitty was never able to catch me. We were very fast then, but we did imagine how awful it would be if we fell into her claws. She always extended them as she leapt towards us. Those were memorable days when I could be so daring."
"Did she ever catch anyone else?" Bluey asked with wide-opened eyes.
"Not that I know of. I can imagine what might happen if we clown around like that today, though." Chickadee shuddered knowing he wasn't as fast in flight as he once was as a youth.
"I've seen other birds dive into Kitty's bowl of food when she's inside the house. Then they eat all they want," said Bluey.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from I Can Fly! by Judith Nell Taylor-Dill Copyright © 2012 by Judith Nell Taylor-Dill. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
1. - A Wise Bluebird....................12. - Kitty's Legend....................7
3. - Kitty's Comfort....................11
4. - Mama Leaves the Nest....................13
5. - Chickadee's Nap....................17
6. - A Tasty Meal....................21
7. - A New Home....................22
8. - Caged Birds....................30
9. - A Mother's Grief....................33
10. - The Reckoning....................36
11. - I Can Fly!....................38
12. - A Family Reunited....................41