THE ROBIN AND THE SPARROW, CHAPTER 5

The head of every bird in the group tilted to one side as each tuned in to Sparkie's news. According to his cousin Barney, a generous early morning breakfast buffet went on in the farmyard and he joined them. It was like rice-sized manna from Heaven and sound like small rocks raining down on the tin roof of the barn. An unusual storm had blown in a cloud of pine beetles and all the neighborhood birds had a feast. He said the beetles had been on their way to a nearby grove of trees. A beetle scout had found this new healthy grove to feed upon since the forest where they now lived was almost dead. The thirsty beetles had consumed all the moisture that contained the nourishing foods the trees needed for life itself. With no feet to run away nor wings like birds to flee to another place they had been left to die, and could no longer grow and supply homes, shade, and food for all living things. Facing a gradual death each tree left a red flag of warning. Deprived of nourishing moisture required, it discolored, turned red, died, and became a desolate place for all life. A careless cigarette ash or any other spark could start a forest fire that could race through nearby lands, destroying people, wildlife, homes and businesses. Dr. Ole's head seemed to almost turn a complete circle as he listened carefully.

Downy, one of the smallest in the woodpecker family raised a wing and Dr. Ole raised both wings to signify silence and gave Downy the nod to speak. He had noticed before that although small in size, her clever mind had come up with very interesting ideas at times.

"What do you think about having windmills placed not too far from the stands of trees to blow away the clouds of invading beetles? As the velocity of the wind acts on the oblique vanes radiating from a horizontal shaft, this power could supply all that is needed for the lands below. People would be more willing to give up the fossil fuels used for cars, heat required in winter and other necessary power needs. This must sound like a 'tall' order - realizing she had made a pun - but I have an idea about how to begin implementing it. The windmills need not disturb the birds or other forest dwellers when placed at a safe distance. I was watching a dog speak to his master last week, not in words, but his master clearly understood.