2023 Spring Fling Contest Entry
FINLEY FINCH FINDS HIS VOICE
By Danna Zeiger
Word Count: 150 Words
I am participating in Ciara O’Neal and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez’s SpringFlingKidlit contest.
Special thanks to the organizers for this incredible opportunity. Thanks also to the prize contributors for such exciting potential rewards!
On an early spring day, holding all the promise of what was to bloom, I took my kids on a homeschooling field trip… to a nature sanctuary. Birds were singing everywhere in the trees, and my kids and I discussed how birds learn to sing. In fact, it’s a similar process to how toddlers babble and learn to talk. The process takes practice and a growth mindset: all perfect inspiration for our homeschool. Luckily, I had heard about the birds and had brought birdseed. This first moment when my daughter successfully invited a bird to perch on her fingers was awe-inspiring for us all… and the little finch sang its thanks directly to my daughter. Watching a wild finch sing so freely inspired us all that day: to keep working, keep trying, and to enjoy the beauty of spring springing all around us.
I created this gif from a video I took of her that day.
Sun rose early as birdsongs beckoned almost-blooming branches.
Birdsongs from everywhere…
except
from
Finley Finch.
The other birds were ready for the first day of spring.
Warblers warbled.
Chickadees chirruped.
Tree sparrows trilled.
Closing his eyes, Finley tried.
Treeetreeet. No.
Pleeeleeeet. Still no.
Meeemeeet.
Sun hung high in the sky…
as Finley sighed, hanging his head.
He flew to Warbler’s tree.
“What’s your song, Warbler?”
Chee-chee! Warbler warbled.
That wasn’t it.
Maybe Chickadee could help.
“What’s your song, Chickadee?”
Chickadee-dee! Chickadee chirruped.
That wasn’t it either.
Finley tore off to Sparrow.
“What’s your song, Sparrow?”
Teedle-eet! Sparrow trilled.
Still not right.
Finley frowned.
Suddenly, a new song serenaded the forest.
Another finch!
That was it!
Finley took a deep breath.
Vreeevreeeet-vreeevreeet-vreeevreeet.
A once reluctant field of Forget-Me-Nots blossomed…
branches bloomed…
and eager seeds took flight…
as Finley found his voice.
Sun set slowly on the horizon,
as birdsongs
welcomed
spring.