The Girl and the Parakeets

Eight-year-old Lucy lives with two parakeets, Pip and Sunny, in her cozy room. Pip is bold and bright green and eager to try new things, while Sunny is quieter and stays near him like a shadow. Each morning Lucy opens the cage so the birds can fly about, and she watches them closely, listening for what their chirps and songs might mean.

To keep her birds occupied, Lucy builds a swing from a wooden hoop, a cardboard hiding box, a foraging cup with seed and millet, and a small mirror. By observing their reactions she starts to read their moods, copying their sounds and answering gently. Written by Jane MEADOW, this gentle tale about observation and companionship can be read on Kids Tale Book and is suited to young readers and to reading aloud with a child.