Preview audio:

storyj.mp/a3aepp3cuah

Once Upon A Time, in a town not so far from here, there lived a little girl named Leona

One summer day, when the air was sticky and the bugs were about, young Leona was bored. She had read every book, done every chore, and couldn’t think of anything else to do. Leo’s mother wanted her to play outside, but Leo did not want to, because she thought outside was boring and had nothing to do.

“Go climb the tree. The biggest tree in the backyard,” said her mother.

“But how is that fun?” asked Leo.

“You never know what you will find in big trees. You may even make a new friend!” replied Mother.

So Leo went outside. She went to the biggest tree in her yard and grabbed onto the lowest branch. She still didn’t see how this would entertain her, but it was indeed something to do. As she climbed, Leo got tired very quickly. She decided to stop and rest on a large branch.

“Hello!” said a squeaky voice. Leo gasped and turned to look at where the voice had come from. There, in a small hole in the tree, was a bird! A small parrot, to be precise.

“Hello!” said the bird again.”My name is Smith. Happy summer to you!”

“Happy summer to you as well!” Leo was confused at how there was a parrot in her yard, but the bird was polite and she was lonely. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I live here. My wife is out gathering food while I stay with our children! Would you like to meet them?” asked Smith.

“I would love to!” said Leo. Smith the bird hopped back into the hole, and allowed Leo to poke her head in. In the dim light, Leo could spot three baby birds sitting in the nest, peeping.

“Aw, they’re so adorable!” exclaimed Leo. The baby birds instantly went quiet.