Bird Rescue

Three baby birds, there on the ground,
Three helpless birds, that my sons found!
They had been safe, living in my apple tree,
In a nest with their mother, as safe as could be!
Children had entered my yard, on that day,
Knocked the nest out of the tree and then ran away!
Mother Robin flew about, making such a fuss!
Then, she flew far away, leaving them to us!
We really didn't want them, but, what else could we do?
So, we took care of them! I'm sure that you would, too!
We put them gently in the nest and hunted for some worms!
The boys didn't mind doing this!
But, worms make me squirm!!
Since my children and I had to go to school,
Taking them with us seemed to be the only "rule"!
So, we found a bag and put the nest inside,
Now, the birds and us were off for a long ride!
My pupils worked so hard that day,
They knew it was the only way,
That we could keep our strange, new "guests"!
Each did his best....at my request!
At recess, everyone hunted for worms......
Then washed tiny hands.....to get rid of "germs",
These featherless birds were as quiet as could be,
The children fed them.....supervised by me!
We had several nests, on our windowsill,
When one nest was "messy", we changed nests, until,
All were gone!! What could we do now?
We needed a clean bed for them.....but, how?
I was so busy, with both Grades One and Two,
At the last moment, I whispered,"Now, what will we do?"
One very smart child said, "It's easy to fix!"
"We'll keep their nest clean, with two sheets of Kleenex!"
This idea worked well! It took just a second!
Four children came, when I stopped and beckoned!
One lifted the tissue, while three picked up the birds,
All quiet and efficient..not a sound could be heard!
Now, the first child put a new tissue in the nest!
Then down went the first two...then, the third with the rest!
Three other children fed our new brood,
Everyone felt good, about giving them food!
It did not interfere, with work in our class,
Pupils worked even harder! Things were done fast!!
They completed assignments and picked up a book,
Hoped they'd be "helpers"the next time I looked!
We kept the nest....in the bag.....by my chair,
No one disturbed them....they slept peacefully there!
If you rattled the bag, when it was time to feed,
This action and noise was all they did need.........
Three, little beaks would open real wide!
And make such a racket, from deep down inside!
We'd change them and feed them!
They'd go back to sleep!
Just like "clockwork"......with barely a "peep"!
One day, the superintendent came in!
All was in order......as neat as a pin!
The children were busy! The birds were asleep!
The room was so peaceful....not even one "peep"!
As he stood near my desk, he looked at the bag!
I guess he was wondering.....what was inside!
So, he touched the edge, while taking a peek,
And all of these babies started to PEEP!
He jumped back in surprise and everyone smiled,
Then he composed himself and said to a child,
"Well, this is a wonderful thing that I see!"
"Taking care of these birds....yes, all three!"
This had been the only "surprise" so far,
But, I took my "bag of birds" home,
Each night.......in my car!!
So, stopping for gas, with the birds fast asleep,
The attendant made a "thump"............
And they all said, "Peep!Peep!"
He looked so bewildered, as if losing his mind!
I said, "If you look in my car, there you will find!"
"A bag of birds, that I'm bringing home from school."
"We're learning and living the real "Golden Rule"!
I think it was the first time, that he'd seen such a throng,
Birds in a car!!!! All singing a song!!!!
My pupils were so happy, you see,
And my children, at home, were as pleased as could be!
But, caring for birds was a big chore for me!
Especially, when all of the children who heard,
Would knock on my door....with another poor bird!
"Are you the lady, who takes care of birds?"
They would say,
I knew I had to stop all of this in some way!
Birds keep you busy.....both night and day!
"I'm sorry, I'm not caring for birds any more!"
And then, I would gently close my front door!
If I had continued, it would be a problem,
I'd better teach children, to avoid Mother Robin!
"Just leave her alone....to do her own thing!"
"She'll care for her baby birds and fat worms will bring!
"She is more able, than any of us!"
So, don't interfere or cause such a fuss!"
"How would you like it,
If your house were knocked down?"
"And your tiny children were dragged all over town?"
"Would you feel happy or would you feel sad?"
"Destroying a family is very, very bad!"
Another lesson in life, every day!!
Teaching respect and compassion is the only way!
 

Pauline Banning
A6-209-98-D9

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