Pyper's first flight
MAGARET HELEN
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Ever since Skip saved Pyper from the big white cat, he was Pyper's best friend. Would it always be so?
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If Pyper the new brown sparrow had not hopped to the edge of her nest, she would not have fallen. The grass saved her and she did not break any bones. She caught her breath when she saw the white cat few yards away.
Cat thumped her bushy tail and widened her cruel yellow eyes. Pyper's heart beat fast. Then, Pyper felt a weight on her back and something was bearing her across the green grass at breakneck speed.
"Let me go," cried Pyper. "Let me go."
He stopped at long last and stood towering over Pyper. He was a young, grey mountain squirrel.
"I'm Skip," he said. His tail seemed to be full and furry and bigger than him.
"Now look what you have done! I'm lost. How will I find my way home?" asked Pyper.
"Me too. I've been lost for two days now. But I can take care of you until someone comes to fetch you. That cat would have gobbled you up, you know!"
Pyper nodded. And that is how Skip and Pyper came to live together. Pyper learnt to eat nuts as well as worms and grub. She learnt to scurry on her two feet like Skip scrambled on his four. She wasn't clumsy at all.
Pyper could even race with Skip up the hillock. But Pyper could not fly. And no one came to fetch her. But Pyper was so happy that she didn't think of home.
A new life
In two weeks Pyper had changed. "You look bigger," said Skip. He wanted to explore the top of the large oak around which he played with Pyper. He didn't feel good on the ground. But he felt guilty leaving Pyper on the ground. One sunny morning Pyper and Skip were playing "chase me" on their hillock. Skip was so excited he didn't realise he had chased Pyper to the edge. For the second time Pyper felt herself falling. Down, down, down she fell. Her little heart seemed to stand still. "Pyper!" screamed Skip. "Oh! This is all my fault!"
Pyper couldn't answer, she was dizzy. The wind rushed into her eyes and ears. Then suddenly, Pyper stretched her wings and her fall seemed to break. To her amazement she was gliding.
"Pyper you are flying," Skip cried in delight. Pyper flew slowly. She was joyous. "I feel great," she said. "Come back here," Skip called. But Pyper was enjoying herself. Skip scrambled up the oak. Pyper flew down to Skip's branch. "Are we going to be friends or not?" Skip asked. His voice trembled. "Of course we are," Pyper said.
"Thank goodness," Skip said.
"Both of you have grown up," said a voice above them. It was an old owl. "Pyper will have a nest to return to after she has done flying. Skip will have a tree hole. But you two can still be friends."
Pyper wanted to fly again. She flapped her wings, "This is not goodbye,she called as she took off.
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