WORKING TOGETHER

Am I right in thinking that the new generation of children being born in this century appear to be more positive, sincere, and caring than many of the adults now guiding our world affairs. Perhaps we are even now entering a new era of cooperation together with all other planet dwellers, the animals and birds. If you are guessing that these words have come from the quill of a grandparent, that's a good guess. But I feel sure you will agree that when you look into those sincere smiling eyes of our grandchildren, wreathed in smiles of love, things do look hopeful. "A little child shall lead them," the Scriptures tell us. And it seems the birds are singing their praises and gladly offering a quill to help as well. The following is an excerpt is from a fable now being created by a grandparent that puts into words what some of the birds may have in mind and at this moment may be carrying out. They appear to be planning and working together with all creatures and this wonderful new generation.

"Ole, the Owl thanks his group for their assistance. 'Now,' he said using his wise cyber thoughts, 'Who wants to fly with me to check the forests again this very dry summer day. Our mothers are busy preparing for a possible early fall flight south and need not come.'

Soaring gracefully through the air waves they observed another heavily forested mountainside of burnished pine trees. A gentle breeze scattered the frail needles from bowed and dead branches, forming a growing and dangerous layer of tinder-dry kindling. They noticed a camper at a rest area and hovered near. "This isn't the area we camped at last year, there's nothing here," said the van driver, "let's move on - all aboard everyone." He stepped on his discarded cigarette and started his motor. The children had just buckled their seat belts as their father drove away. Ole's sharp ears detected a crackling sound. At the speed of light, he swooped down, followed by his helpers in relays, deftly missing the startled driver's windshield. Checking his mirrors, the man saw a dangerous scene unfolding back at the rest stop. He handed the cell phone to his wife and said, "Call the ranger and tell him to check on a blaze. I should have taken more care to stamp out that cigarette, hang on, we'll try to outrun it, did our call go through?" "Its not ringing, we must be out of range of the tower," she answered.

Suzie-Q