6/29 The Bird Feeder 299 words

The four Fleming Sparrow children are fluttering around the bird feeder; they're on a mission to get their daily dose of seeds and cracked corn. Bonnie Blue Jay squawks at the interruption and takes to the tree limbs.

Fanny Fleming dives to the ground as she's scolding her brother, Frank, who's hopping around the ledge scattering seeds as he goes. Mr. Cardinal flies in to the feeder. "Shoo" he barks at them. "Damn brats," he mutters.

Dolores gracefully swoops down to the ground where Fanny is still helping herself. "Don't you pay him any attention," she whispers. "He's a lot of pretty feathers and hot air." Fanny giggles as she peeks at Dolores. "I love coming to the bird feeder," Fanny tells her. "Even though sometimes the human scares me." "Aww, don't you worry about her. She keeps us fed and watered."

Bonnie Blue Jay pipes up as she flies down to the ground, "Yes, she's our friend. Did you hear that she saved the youngest Brown baby?" "No!" Dolores exclaims. "What happened?" "Well, you know the Browns built that nest up on the corner of the house, right? The baby was taking off from the nest and next thing you know a big gust of wind caught him and threw him into the pool!"

"Oh, dear," Dolores gasps. "That's horrible." "What happened next?" Fanny says, looking on as wide eyed as can be. "Well, the human was holding that black thing they all use. I hear tell they send tests back and forth on them." Fin Fleming, having been listening from the perch above them, politely interrupts, "It's text, Ms. Bonnie, not test."

"Annnyywayyy," Bonnie continues, "the human scooped Bobbie up and saved his life." "Wow," Fanny whispers. Bonnie theatrically ruffles her feathers and says, "Yes, he's gonna be just fine."