The Girl and the Raven

Alice has a favourite spot in the schoolyard, a quiet corner beneath an old oak tree where she sits each morning with her nature journal and pencil. On a drizzly Tuesday, a glossy black raven with a small silver band on its leg lands nearby, and her careful watching begins. What follows is a patient study of a remarkable bird, as Alice notes how it drops a twig into a pavement crack to reach a piece of bread, uses a pebble to pry loose a stone hiding a beetle, and plays with stones in a puddle.

She sketches each behaviour and records the details, gradually learning that ravens are among the smartest birds and that close observation rewards patience. When her science teacher, Mr. Okafor, finds her notes, he invites her to share them with the class, and her best friend Maya helps her prepare. Written by Jane MEADOW, this gentle story follows Alice from quiet noticing toward confident presentation, showing how curiosity and respect for wildlife can turn an ordinary schoolyard into a place of discovery. The tale can be read on Kids Tale Book.