March 2018 SOLC–Day 21
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Hope is the thing with feathers
∼Emily Dickinson
Outside the flash of a bullet of fur on a deadly trajectory caught my eye.
Oh, no!
I saw her land on four paws on the snowy bank beneath the feeders. My heart sank.
Did she get another bird?
I grabbed the door handle and raced outside.
“Juuuuniper,” I called.
She turned to look at me, and the two small bells at her neck jingled merrily. Two limp wings protruded from either side of her mouth. A fan of grey and white tail feathers covered her chin.
Oh, no! A little junco.
She glanced at me, then turned to walk away, her prize firmly clenched in her jaws.
“Juney,” I called, coming up behind her. She slowed a bit. “Come here, Juney girl.”
Take it slowly. Don’t spook her.
The wings and tail were ominously still, no flutter of feathers, no evident struggle.
“Come here, sweet kitty.” I crooned, approaching her slowly. Slowly.
She stopped and looked back at me. “Good girl,” I said, coming nearer. I knelt and reached out, as if to pet her. She leaned toward me, anticipating an affectionate rub. Quickly but gently, I grasped either side of her head. Inserting my fingers in the corners of her mouth, I pushed. She wriggled to get away, lean muscle under silken fur, but I held on.
Will it work? Is it already too late?
“Come on, Juney. Open up,” I sing-songed.
I continued to apply steady pressure, and her mouth slowly began to open. A moment passed. I pushed a little more, and finally, her jaw dropped open.
In a whirling flash, with a scatter of feathers, the junco soared into the afternoon sky. It flew toward the barn, wheeled around the corner and disappeared from sight. A miracle of flight and feathers.
My heart rebounded.
You are a hero! One morning my cat had a baby squirrel. I was not able to rescue it. I mourned that little helpless thing. My husband said, “Circle of life.”
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Oh, poor squirrel. I’ve witnessed way too many small critter deaths at the hands/paws of my cats. I think I may need to take down the feeders, but that breaks my heart just a little.
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That was a better ending than I anticipated. The combination of dialogue and narrative helped weave the tale perfectly. Your Juniper is quite a little rascal. Today you can count that as a win.
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It was a better ending than I anticipated, too! It was such a lift to see that junco fly away!
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Such anticipation! Glad it had a happy ending for the junco.
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Me, too!
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Oh my gosh that is incredible! You created so much suspense as you told this bit by bit. By including your inner thoughts, I was able to empathize and maintain hope that the bird was ok. Unbelievable! Definitely share this with your students!
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Thanks, Cindy! It was one of those small moments that just begged to be told.
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I had no idea you could get a cat to drop its prey. Well done, Molly. The final verb captures your joy beautifully.
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Well, I can’t say I knew that it would work, but I had to try something!
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The dialogue and the tension in this post really captured me. I’m so glad it had a happy ending for the junco!
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It was tense for me and the junco! I’m glad that came through.
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OH thank goodness-you are a hero. Too often this is not the happy ending. Loved the way you exploded this moment!
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Thanks, Paula. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to stop feeding the birds because of other not-so-happy endings. I feel complicit.
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You are my hero!
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Molly,
Am I the only one who is happy for the junco yet thinking that will Junie trust you to come to you next time she has a little something in her mouth or will she remember “the betrayal” and polish off her meal before listening to your call?
Thanks for saving Junco, a life saved is a life saved. ya?
Best.
Purviben
@Trivediziemba
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I’m not sure if she’ll trust me again, but I had to do what I could at that moment. It was worth it.
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True
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I’m so impressed… with the rescue and with the telling of the rescue. Your story is superbly crafted. Spectacular description: “In a whirling flash, with a scatter of feathers, the junco soared into the afternoon sky. It flew toward the barn, wheeled around the corner and disappeared from sight. A miracle of flight and feathers.” And I love the profound simplicity of your final sentence.
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Thanks, Alice. I debated about that ending sentence, and played around with the lines before it, so I’m glad you found the final version effective.
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I was hanging on your words to hear if the Junko was playing dead and could be rescued. Phew!
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I was so relieved!
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This slice of a moment in time is priceless. As others have said, your conversation and description are beautifully balanced. I was holding my breath with each line. I knew you were pulling for the bird the whole time. The ending was what I was hoping for – your title is perfect! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks! I really appreciate your feedback!
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So happy that bird survived, but I know cats and they love to hunt. My cat too old and tired to hunt in the winter, but come better weather- watch out!
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It’s been quite a change for us to have young cats around again. Our two geriatric cats didn’t have the energy to bother the birds, warm or cold weather!
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What tension, what a wonderful ending. Bravo.
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Hooray for you, Molly! My heart was in my throat as I read your well-crafted slice. So relieved you rescued the little junco!
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