James The Young Brown Pelican by Bob Kranich

James The Young Brown Pelican
 by Bob Kranich

(Excerpt 6)

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. He meets a strange White pelican named Smilin’ Sam. Sam talks to James about life. He takes James on a flight high up above the keys and talks about what this all means. Now Sam is on his way and a storm is coming.

“Have you ever heard the story of the Black Pelican?”

“No,” James answered. “But I have heard about white pelicans.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. This story starts way, way back, centuries ago, when the pelican was a symbol of caring, self-sacrifice and love. But the story I am about to tell you is native to where I am from, the Outer Banks, North Carolina.”

“In the late 1800’s the Kitty Hawk U. S. Life Saving Station was built. The purpose of this station was to house the men and equipment to look for and save people in sailing ships who were in trouble because of stormy seas.

The original crew was a supervisor or keeper and six men. These men had special qualifications. They had to be familiar with their portion of the beach, including any particularities of the surf, currents and sand bars. The men had to know every part of the ships of the day. Each one had to have training in life saving and specialized equipment. They had to know how to operate Breeches-Buoy, lifebelt and mortar-cart. This is to name just a few.”
“Not too long after the station was up and running, a Black Pelican appeared. He was only around during storms. Whenever a ship was in distress he would fly around the Life Saving Station and head out towards the struggling ship. This guided the alert station men, and they were able with the Black Pelican’s help to save many people from drowning. The Black Pelican legend has been verified by the station’s original supervisor’s journal and life saving men’s and survivors’ writings.”

“What do you think of that historic story James? I think that like the Black Pelican of Kitty Hawk, you could be the Brown Pelican of Key West.”

What a great story!” James exclaimed, “But how can a young pelican like me be like the brave Black Pelican?”

“That’s easy James, with faith and God’s guidance you can do anything. If you ever need Him just ask….talk to Him.”

“So long kid, I got to get going. I got places to be and pelicans to see. Cuba, here I come! You take care and think it over. Bye, good luck, and keep the faith.”

Smilin’ Sam kicked off, lifted up, and said over his shoulder as he flapped his powerful wings, “Kid, watch out for the storm. It’s heading this way. If you are ever in the Outer Banks, look me up.”

In a few minutes Smilin’ Sam was just a faint speck way off in the distance over the Atlantic.

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.