by Bob Kranich
(Excerpt 1)
This is a new story. We are first introduced to James the young Brown pelican, and a young fellow who is sketching him on the docks of Key West. James is now going to do some soaring and go up the Keys.
-----
James glided as all three dropped down, down, down. He could see them line up single file as they skimmed the foaming top of a long breaking wave. Then, as one, they all hit the water with their beaks, dipping their pouches in the wave top. They must have come upon a school of small fish pushed to the top by the wave action. He looked back, and he could see them floating there as a couple of gallons of water drained from each of their pouches. Once the water was out, they then could swallow the small fish whole!
They all were floating with hardly any of their bodies below the surface of the water. This was because of the air sacs under their skin and breast and the air pockets in their bones.
James just did not want to be part of their follow-the-leader game.
James could see the faint green salt ponds ahead. He slowly glided inland and made a quick circle around the pond where Grandpa Pelican resided. Then he saw Grandpa just floating and sunning himself near the pond’s shore not far from Southeast Roosevelt Boulevard.
James glided around one more time and without flapping a wing came to a perfect landing in the pond just a few yards from Grandpa.
“Whew! James, you gave me a start!” Grandpa exclaimed, “Good to see you. What brings you here?”
“Hi Grandpa, you're looking well. It’s been a while since I came by; in fact, I’m overdue for a visit. Grandpa, I need to talk. I’m feeling down. All the other pelicans always tease me because I don’t want to fly around in a line all day and just fish. I want to do something different. I don’t want to be just like all the rest. It seems that I have nothing to live for!”
“I can understand that James. When I was your age I had the same feeling.”
“So Grandpa, I need some advice….some help!”
“One thing, James, we pelicans have a reputation to uphold. You know that we come from a long lineage. In fact, pelicans date back to ancient times!”
“How do you know that, Grandpa?”
“Well the two-leg humans have written records. We have oral tradition. It will be up to you to pass on all the information that I and your parents tell you, and also whatever you learn, to your young.”
“Grandpa that is all very interesting, but sometimes I get so discouraged.”
“Now wait just a minute there Sonny. You have a lot to live for. You have your health...you have your family...and you have your faith.”
“Faith….what’s faith Grandpa?”
“Grandson, faith is your belief and trust in a Higher Being. The Power that made all this around us, including the earth and everything in it. He also made the heavens above, the sun, the moon and the stars.”
“What is he called, Grandpa?”
“Why He is called God…..The God of the universe.”
“Oh, I didn’t know,” said James.
“I realize that most pelicans don’t even ask or worry about the greater things.” Grandpa exclaimed, “But since you want to be different, you need to think about this Power from above.”
“Thank you Grandpa,” James said sincerely, “I will go along now and will think this over.”
“Good boy, and remember, if you need it....the Power, all you have to do is ask.”
“Bye Grandpa.”
“One other thing, James, I think a storm is a’brewin’.
“How do you know Grandpa?” James asked.
“I can feel it in my bones. I’m usually right, so you take care and keep a watchful eye.”
James glided as all three dropped down, down, down. He could see them line up single file as they skimmed the foaming top of a long breaking wave. Then, as one, they all hit the water with their beaks, dipping their pouches in the wave top. They must have come upon a school of small fish pushed to the top by the wave action. He looked back, and he could see them floating there as a couple of gallons of water drained from each of their pouches. Once the water was out, they then could swallow the small fish whole!
They all were floating with hardly any of their bodies below the surface of the water. This was because of the air sacs under their skin and breast and the air pockets in their bones.
James just did not want to be part of their follow-the-leader game.
James could see the faint green salt ponds ahead. He slowly glided inland and made a quick circle around the pond where Grandpa Pelican resided. Then he saw Grandpa just floating and sunning himself near the pond’s shore not far from Southeast Roosevelt Boulevard.
James glided around one more time and without flapping a wing came to a perfect landing in the pond just a few yards from Grandpa.
“Whew! James, you gave me a start!” Grandpa exclaimed, “Good to see you. What brings you here?”
“Hi Grandpa, you're looking well. It’s been a while since I came by; in fact, I’m overdue for a visit. Grandpa, I need to talk. I’m feeling down. All the other pelicans always tease me because I don’t want to fly around in a line all day and just fish. I want to do something different. I don’t want to be just like all the rest. It seems that I have nothing to live for!”
“I can understand that James. When I was your age I had the same feeling.”
“So Grandpa, I need some advice….some help!”
“One thing, James, we pelicans have a reputation to uphold. You know that we come from a long lineage. In fact, pelicans date back to ancient times!”
“How do you know that, Grandpa?”
“Well the two-leg humans have written records. We have oral tradition. It will be up to you to pass on all the information that I and your parents tell you, and also whatever you learn, to your young.”
“Grandpa that is all very interesting, but sometimes I get so discouraged.”
“Now wait just a minute there Sonny. You have a lot to live for. You have your health...you have your family...and you have your faith.”
“Faith….what’s faith Grandpa?”
“Grandson, faith is your belief and trust in a Higher Being. The Power that made all this around us, including the earth and everything in it. He also made the heavens above, the sun, the moon and the stars.”
“What is he called, Grandpa?”
“Why He is called God…..The God of the universe.”
“Oh, I didn’t know,” said James.
“I realize that most pelicans don’t even ask or worry about the greater things.” Grandpa exclaimed, “But since you want to be different, you need to think about this Power from above.”
“Thank you Grandpa,” James said sincerely, “I will go along now and will think this over.”
“Good boy, and remember, if you need it....the Power, all you have to do is ask.”
“Bye Grandpa.”
“One other thing, James, I think a storm is a’brewin’.
“How do you know Grandpa?” James asked.
“I can feel it in my bones. I’m usually right, so you take care and keep a watchful eye.”
From the Author:
“James the Young Brown Pelican” is a fictional story of a young Brown pelican. He is dissatisfied with the pelican’s normal way of life, just looking for fish and eating. He wants to so something else with his life. He is excited about flying high and a speedy dive. This is a Christian book about faith and you will learn more about the life of pelicans. Since the Brown pelican is found along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, you will also learn about the pelican’s life in the Florida Keys and Key West itself.
The book is illustrated by watercolors, sketches, and photos, to include many photos by the great nature photographer, Ron Reznick.
The book is illustrated by watercolors, sketches, and photos, to include many photos by the great nature photographer, Ron Reznick.
No comments:
Post a Comment