Last week was Animal Week at the school. The kids learned about animals all week, and then on Friday brought their pets to school. Everyone brought pet birds, turning the school into a mini aviary of sorts: a dove in a shoebox, a pigeon with a string tied to its foot, and a chicken or two. One little boy brought two parakeets in a metal cage with a door. During recess, everyone sat in a circle and had a chance to hold one of the chickens. Some kids were scared, and others were excited to see the birds. Then sometime during the light commotion, the parakeets escaped and flew outside. The kids started chasing the birds around the room, and a few teachers climbed on the roof to look for the birds, but the little matching yellow birds were gone for good. Se fue los pajaros.
Somehow, the boy who owned the parakeets didn’t really notice that they had flown away. But by the end of the day, he saw the empty cage and asked “Y los pajaros?” (Where are the birds?). One teacher put the pigeon in the empty wire cage. The kid was so happy with the pigeon that the poor parakeets were forgotten in an instant. He brought the new bird around to everyone in the school saying “Mira, mira!” (Look, look!) In a matter of five minutes he had shown the bird to everyone around him at least twice. He carried the pigeon in the cage around for me to see for the third time, “Mira, Tia! Mira!”
Okay. Possibly this story is not that funny. Or maybe you just had to be there to see how happy he was, but it was adorable. And even nearly a week later, I still have to laugh imagining the chain of events of this day: The boy asks his mom to let him bring in the family’s yellow matching pet parakeets to school. She probably instructs him to hold onto the cage, not open the little door or let the birds escape. He brings the birds to school. The tiny parakeets escape, fly away, and are replaced with a large pigeon. He brings the pigeon home in the parakeets’ cage happier than ever - “Mira, Mami!” Some photos from the day:
Looking for the birds
Introducing the parakeets' replacement
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Last week was Animal Week; this week was Columbus Day featuring a Christopher Columbus play, since you know, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, this island is where he wound up.
Christopher Columbus
Taino native
Waiting for the play to start
Preparing yucca
Ok, take care - enjoy the day!
XO
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteDennis and I got the story of your family's trip - what a great time and I am sure your mom was so glad you were able to meet them at the airport. Hailing a taxi on her own was a little daunting! I told your mom that I was impressed that she and your sister ventured to new lands and ate new things. Remember the time Dennis and I took you three to Dim Sum. A total eating disaster.
Anyway I love all the pictures and stories. Your apartment is cute, the way your mom talked I expected to see lots of pictures of your tiled floor. You should add one of them to your blog.
I am sure your mom didnt know at the time, but I have 'retired' from my 16 year job. So I now have time to catch up on all those little things, including enjoying reading every word on your blog.
Glad you enjoyed the Block Island jam. The number of berries available this year as the best I have ever seen it. I ended up making four batches. Gave many jars away as thank you presents to those at work before I retired.
Take Care and Keep up the excellent work - Share alot and Learn alot.
Kathy Crocker
Hi Emma! Enjoyed your updates! Please email me and let me know when I can visit you. Did you ever find the letter I sent? Love Dad
ReplyDeleteEmma, just read the entry about animal day at the school. Amazing how quickly you all turned a potential tragedy into a happy ending. Did you ever find out how the parents responded when they saw the pigeon? Tell us the end of that story.
ReplyDeleteAs for your first day of English class - the unexpected one -- nothing like thinking on your feet -- amazing what you can do with one piece of chalk.
Take Care
Kathy