BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD –
A Fable
By Dulce Martins
Copyright 2010)
Illustrations: Nilton C Souza
THE TROUBLESOME HATCHING - (1)
Once there was a buzzard… a turkey vulture! He didn’t have a ‘king’s comb’, but was much taller than anyone else in his flock.
From the time he was born he meant trouble to his parents. His birth was accompanied by some unexpected complications. The egg in which he came into this world was rather large, causing his mother to suffer more than any other mother in the neighborhood.
After the hatching, and long before he was expected to be born, he cracked the shell with his feet, and proved not to be like any other vulture in his flock.
The looks of his parents were tender and full of love, though filled with some kind of concern.
‘It was a different way of being hatched, wasn’t it, honey?’ The father posed the question to the mother, finding it strange and unusual.
‘It looked as if his legs wouldn’t fit the shell any longer!’ The mother replied.
The doctor who had helped in the delivery recommended, “Ma’am, you’d better take him to a doctor specialized in bones, an orthopedist.’
After many visits to several doctors, the conclusion was that he was simply a very tall buzzard.
Buzzardean was the name given to him; taller than the rest of his peers. Who could ever imagine that?
COMPLICATIONS AT SCHOOL – (2)
Once he started going to school, he really started having problems. Buzzardean was exceedingly tall for elementary school. He had long legs, large open claws, and a clumsy body.
When he made an innocent turn, ‘crack, crunch,’ he broke the other children’s toys. (Of course, he didn’t mean to do it on purpose!) The teachers complained at every PTA meeting and his classmates were somewhat afraid of him.
‘Perhaps you should enroll Buzzardean in Junior High,’ was suggested by some people. However, his mother knew that his mind was not yet ready for more advanced learning.
Resigning herself, Buzzardean’s mother took the problem to Saint Vulture Junior High. The very sympathetic principal decided to give it a try and accepted him as a student.
The first day of class came. Buzzardean had a backpack hanging around his neck and some books and binders under his wings. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation and excitement about his first day at Junior High.
Buzzardean’s mother, on the contrary, was very hesitant. Buzzardean gave her a quick hug and a goodbye kiss, and started to go in.
Before he could enter, his mother called him back and gave him some advice, ‘Remember! No fighting, no arguing and don’t bother if you hear unkind and nasty remarks about your thighs. Mom and dad are proud of you, and do love you very much!’
She continued, ‘Oh, I almost forgot… Here’s your snack. Remember that delicious meat your father brought home from the road by the new mall? Don’t forget to eat it all! Now you have to eat like the other vultures in your new group. They can’t find out you’re too young for Junior High!’ (In Elementary school Buzzardean was a big fish in a little pond, but in Junior High it was just the opposite: He was a little fish in a big pond!)
There was some more advice from his mother, but Buzzardean was too excited and did not want to hear any more. He wanted to go in immediately and meet his new colleagues, which at least looked about the same size as he did.
As the day went on, Buzzardean discovered it was not going to be easy. So many students, and just one teacher for all of them! To call the attention of the teacher was quite a challenge…
When he raised his wing to try to call her, and before he could even say ‘Mrs.’ she was already gone and was helping another student.
Buzzardean could hardly see what was written on the board from a distance. This was a new discovery. His mother was called to school without delay. (In these matters, the father almost always seems to be absent.)
Before she could say ‘Hi’, the teacher announced, ‘Your son needs glasses!’
‘Glasses?’ The mother asked in surprise.
‘Glasses. Yes, yes!’ The teacher repeated and added, ‘and he’s a bit slow, too.’
Buzzardean’s mother could not believe that her son was really slow. He just didn’t have a full elementary background.
THE DISTRESSFUL ADOLESCENCE – (3)
Buzzardean’s growth was somewhat different from the average of the class. He reached adolescence sooner than anyone else of his age. That was certainly because of his size.
And how terrible! His thighs had no feathers!
Now that was a real concern, a reason for belittling and teasing by his peers.
Among other things, this situation was the one that caused him the most pain.
To be obliged to sit around teenagers was not an easy task. Buzzardean had to learn to fly to and fro over the garbage sites. Everywhere, he was noticed not only for his massive body, but also for his clumsy way of moving, walking, flying, and mainly for his featherless thighs.
‘Why no feathers on your thighs, dude?’
‘Is that problem on your thighs hereditary?’
‘Hey, fellow! At which beauty salon did they pluck off your feathers? Did they use wax?’ ‘Oh! Such beautiful legs! Ooh! La, la!
Buzzardean felt there was much teasing, harassing, bullying, annoying jokes and lots of nasty remarks. This was too much for a young buzzard to handle, especially since he hadn’t even become a teenager yet.
He was hurt… Not to mention the cold he felt on his thighs when he flew. It seemed as if his thighs were going to freeze and break right in the middle.
When summer came, everything felt perfect. However, when winter came, everything went ‘purple’!
Hi, there! Are you wearing purple stockings? I really liked the color!’ These were some other unfair remarks he heard.
And what about the girls? We’d better not mention them at all. (Sometimes they would look at him, but not the same way they looked at other guy-vultures.) Buzzardean felt a certain amount of criticism toward himself.
One important aspect Buzzardean did not lack: the love of his parents. He was the only child – their pride and joy!
He almost flunked the seventh grade for the third time., but that didn’t matter. His parents knew that he hadn’t been duly prepared for Junior High. Besides, he was the apple of Mom’s and Dad’s eyes!
Buzzardean’s parents thought that one day he was going to grow up, that is, in other words, he would stop growing, so he would have his circle of stable friends. He would get married and have lots of ‘babies,’ which with a little bit of luck would be normal baby buzzards.
From then on, everything would be as it had always been in the neighborhood.
This was the ultimate dream of a hopeful mother and father for the well-being of their son Buzzardean.
BECOMING A BOOKWORM – (4)
Buzzardean knew he was ‘different.’ He needed no mirror to see that. His friends and peers would let him know all the details.
This experience at school made our big friend somewhat depressed…
He ended up withdrawing from the flock, keeping himself away from undesired conversations.
Thus, he became a bookworm, and one special book touched his heart deeply. ‘Can you guess which one?’
‘Yes, exactly! That book that told the story of a special seagull.’ That seagull became Buzzardean’s idol! What courage! Buzzardean felt he had much in common with that seagull.
However, Buzzardean was not very interested in flying straight up and down, reaching the most elevated heights or flying so freely like the seagull.
What really got his attention was the fact that the seagull had a goal in life. The goal that seemed strange to the other seagulls in the flock, but that seagull knew exactly what he wanted.
Buzzardean, on the other hand, had no objectives in his life; not a single goal that could give him a reason to live.
He thought over and over about the purpose of his life and wondered if he could ever make a difference in this world.
‘Was his single fate,’ he pondered, ‘to eat the remainders of animal corpses? To search garbage sites for leftovers that humans turned away from… and that all vultures seemed to love so much?’
The city vultures spent their lives digging and turning the dangerous garbage over to find the food they liked better! He remembered that one day a young buzzard had stepped on an open container with some acid and burned his feet or claws very badly.
The burns from the acid almost made his claws disappear completely. That poor little buzzard screamed and cried in real desperate pain, but no one was able to help him in any way.
Buzzardean was so sorry that he couldn’t help him either.
He himself had stepped on needles, broken glass, and old rusty cans…
In one particular class at school, Buzzardean learned that there were other countries that recycled their garbage. Those places didn’t have the abundance of food that the city garbage sites had.
The vultures in the forest, on the other hand, had to spend their lives searching for meat leftovers that other animals didn’t want to eat.
Buzzardean became fascinated and almost shouted, ‘It would be cool to visit a country like that!’
Nevertheless, how could he confess that he thought the garbage site was an ugly, stinky place, not fit for him? But he felt deep in his heart that hadn’t been born for the kind of life he was leading.
Besides that, a very bad smell came from the garbage site! It was simply disgusting!
Buzzardean was already treated differently. Now imagine if he opened his beak to speak of his feelings about their way of living.
No! Buzzardean could not feel grateful or even happy with that kind of life. He thought it over … Then he made up his mind!
Buzzardean let his parents know that he had decided to travel. He would meet new friends in the forest, and perhaps even visit new cultures ad countries.
His parents were both surprised and shocked at the same time about what they had just heard.
‘…But, son…’ Before they could continue, Buzzardean interrupted, ‘It’s no use! I have to go!
Buzzardean insisted so much that the parents could not do anything else regarding his decision…
With the seagull book in his backpack, our unsatisfied big friend flew off.
IN SEARCH FOR A NEW WORLD – (5)
As he left the city behind, he saw tears in his parents’ eyes, and heard odd remarks from their neighbors.
When Buzzardean was approaching the forest, he began to feel the gentle breeze coming from there and was beginning to surround him.
When he finally reached the forest, he smelled the cool fresh air that entered his nostrils. It seemed to clean the depth of his soul!
How exhilarating! So much green! So many trees on which to land and rest! He felt free to choose any tree he desired.
On his way, several other birds waved, ‘Hello!’ to him…
It seemed to be a totally different world, and he started thinking about his parents back home in that awful place; full of filthy and stinky things. Never did he have the courage to leave!
For the first time he felt some power within.
What should become of that feeling that made his heart beat so strongly!
He no longer heard undesired comments about his height, glasses, or naked thighs…
He only heard the ‘zoom, zoom’ of the wind… the ‘schwa, schwa’ of the trees… the chirping of the birds… and a great, peaceful feeling!
‘Would that be paradise?’ He wondered, ‘But vultures only go to paradise after they die!’
Back in the city garbage site, the vultures thought that paradise was a place similar to the one they already knew…
If they were right, Buzzardean did not want to go to that paradise.
He wanted to go to a paradise that would be similar to the one he now contemplated – full of life and freedom.
After a while, it inevitably had to happen: Buzzardean began to feel that commonly ‘pain’ inside, showing it was lunchtime. ‘I must land and search for food,’ he thought.
With sharp eyes, he was flying low now. All his senses were turned to survival. ‘Food! Food!’ This was all he could think about now.
Time went by and he saw nothing. The hunger increased and he almost began missing home, where everything seemed so easy! But he could not give up now!
After having experienced this freer world with its new and sweet smell, and all that green, that awakening sensation in his bosom… No, no. He could not turn back now!
It should just be a matter of time. It was necessary to have discipline, and to take control of himself.
He tried to concentrate more, and look for food with even sharper eyes.
Suddenly he saw a clearing. In it there were some meat leftovers that other animals didn’t want to eat.
Buzzardean landed, and quickly grabbed a piece, and ate until he hungered no more.
Buzzardean landed, and quickly grabbed a piece, and ate until he hungered no more.
After eating, he rested a while. When he was about to take off and continue his adventure, another vulture interrupted him by landing right beside him.
‘Hey, my friend! You left nothing for me, uh? Said the newly-arrived vulture, as he landed.
Buzzardean said, ‘Oh, there’s still some meat over there that I didn’t touch. Enough to satisfy your hunger, I suppose. At least a little!’
The hungry vulture began to eat voraciously. Interestingly, he didn’t ask his name, nor comment on his height, glasses, or featherless thighs. Buzzardean was amazed!
He was thrilled to see such a peculiar vulture, so unusual from the ones he had known.
Buzzardean decided to wait till the visitor finished eating. He wanted to get to know him better.
‘Maybe he can become my friend. Who knows?’ Buzzardean thought. (Having a friend was something Buzzardean had never experienced before.) ‘Think of it. A friend!’ Buzzardean said to himself.
When the visiting vulture finished eating the last chunk of food, he said to Buzzardean, ‘Well, there was actually enough to satisfy my hunger. My name is Urubalpha – A little exotic, don’t you think? I am pleased to meet you! Where do you come from?’
So many questions at the same time. And what did exotic mean?
What a strange name! It looked female, but Buzzardean was sure the visitor was not a female.
‘Why “Urubalpha”?’ Buzzardean dared ask.
‘It’s because I’m always in “alpha”. You know. I’m an easy-going fellow!’
Urubalpha didn’t care much what Buzzardean thought about him. The visitor was interested in answers.
‘What’re doing here? You’re not from around here, are you?
‘No, I come from the city. This is my first experience away from home.’
‘You seem to have experienced serious hardships, my friend! City vultures think it’s a waste of time to come over here. They think life is difficult here.’
‘In fact, it doesn’t look so easy!’ Buzzardean replied, while adjusting his glasses.
‘Oh, those glasses; do you really need them?’
‘I actually don’t know. My Junior High teacher said so. Then I began wearing them.’
‘Ah, tell me the reason why you came here.’
‘Well, I had an uneasy childhood…’ Buzzardean could hardly believe what was happening. He was having a free conversation with another vulture. Much more than the four or five words he used to use with the city vultures.
Of course, Buzzardean did speak with his parents. They were the only ones available, indeed, but he didn’t feel at ease to speak about every subject.
That new friend now, yes, friend… He actually wanted to hear him and to know about his life and his thoughts.
ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE – (6)
Landing on an attractive leafy tree, they continued talking. Buzzardean could express himself openly.
He spoke of his fears, the prejudices he had to face, his appearance, his desires, and also his great platonic love: Gilda… (What a lovely she-vulture she was!)
Her father held control over the eastern part of the garbage site… He had a kings comb. To fly over that site was a dream, but it was somewhat forbidden.
Buzzardean used to watch Gilda fly so marvelously and graciously, with black clean feathers, which looked as if they were blue, under the reflection of the sun.
Gilda’s father, however, was a fierce individual! And why did Buzzardean have to fall in love exactly with the princess! He was too tall, wore glasses, and had featherless thighs – To win the princess’ attention was an impossible dream!
Sometimes she even noticed him! (Or was it compassion only?)
After long hours of conversation, Urubalpha had no doubt the Bazzardean really needed some help.
Our existence here on earth sometimes brings about some adversities, in which we have to play a role that is not always praised by our critics.
Urubalpha knew that Buzzardean’s inferiority complex hindered him from reaching his full potential. So he decided to interfere, ‘Yes, my dear Buzzardean, your great problem is lack of self-acceptance!’
‘Self-acceptance? Yes, maybe; but it’s not easy! You say that because you do not have the same problems I have, and also because you have no uncovered thighs!’
‘Does that make you different?’
‘On the outside, yes. I feel different.’
‘Well, we all are! Similar, but different,’ said Urubalpha. ‘The only real problem is how we deal with that difference! If we find something different deep inside ourselves, or outside, that difference has to be considered good for us, not bad, not a burden, nor as a terrible thing we must bear.’ Urubalpha continued, ‘It is certain that sometimes a change is necessary, but this is not your case, my friend!’
‘Then I have to like myself the way I am?’ Buzzardean was astonished and continued, ‘Nobody likes me the way I am. I think I bother them because of that.’
‘Come on, Buzzardean! You don’t bother anybody! You simply exist. All of us who are born deserve a place in this world, and it belongs to us by divine right. This place cannot be occupied by anyone else, even if one person has the wrong idea that because of some kind of difference, he is better than we are!’
‘My friend Urubalpha,’ (This word sounded so sweet in
Buzzardean’s lips.) ‘Your remarks seem so good! Never has anyone said such words to me before!’
Buzzardean’s lips.) ‘Your remarks seem so good! Never has anyone said such words to me before!’
‘Well, Buzzardean, maybe it wasn’t the right time. For everything there is a time. The Universe is attentive, and everything within you was almost ready to burst out. You just didn’t really know how. And that ended up bringing you out here. If you can figure out properly, you will see that your dreams have come true!’
‘My dreams! My desires! Yes, yes.’ Buzzardean agreed with Urubalpha’s point of view, ‘I’ve always wanted to be accepted, to talk about what I feel, to laugh without fear, and not have to excuse myself for being the way I am. I feel free now! It is as if I were floating in the air!’
Our friend Buzzardean felt so good and wonderful and he almost broke out into pieces emotionally. He shouted out loud, being touched by a new kind of happiness, and he flew up high in the sky!
Urubalpha stared at him from below with a smile on his face and in his heart. He felt the good feeling of having helped someone find a reason to live happily.
They stayed together for a very long time. They spent hours and hours talking, flying, and hunting…
He also learned to eat vegetables, fruits, and roots. He did not eat more than necessary…
He met other buzzards, vultures, falcons, etc. and found it to be true that those who live in the country are simpler and friendlier than those that live in the city.
Despite all this, he missed his parents more and more each day.
How could he experience all that and not share it with them? He would love to convince them to come with him and meet his new friends and have a new and special way of life.
He had to return home, at least to tell the news, explain what had happened to him, his adventures, and so on.
‘Who knows if they are also worried? Besides, I feel more prepared to convince them now.’ Buzzardean thought.
Everything within himself had been settled, except for the lack of feathers on his thighs. And that was something a little bit hard to accept. Also, there was the freezing problem he felt when he flew. His thighs became like solid stone and ached a great deal, especially during the winter, which was coming quickly again.
Then he decided to say “goodbye” to his friends and fly back toward the city.
RETURNING HOME – (7)
Inside, he had plenty of things to tell and share with his parents. He would not wait for their questions. He would speak out whether they wanted to hear or not.
His neighbors would certainly be overwhelmed to know what he had learned and experienced. Now he was a hunter – not only an eater of remainders in the garbage site.
Thus, flying and thinking about his return, he suddenly saw a clearing in the woods. And far on the ground, he saw something with nice colors, which lured his curious attention.
He landed… It was a pair of green and yellow baggy bermuda shorts.
The cold was really bothering his thighs. So he looked at the bermudas, approached himself, and finally put his legs in them. He managed to bring them up to his waist and they fit comfortably, even covering his thighs, but they were somewhat loose at the waist.
Soon he found a little string, which he was able to tie in the bermudas around his waist with his beak and claws.
Now he felt elegant, charming and warm!
At first he didn’t want to fly too high. He wanted to see if they would alter his way of flying.
They were no bother and did fit snugly. Most importantly, they made his thighs feel warm and that was what really mattered.
THE MISLEADING IDEA – (8)
While he was having fun trying out his baggy bermudas, he saw a “human” by a table, outside a humble house. There was a pan on the fire with a lot of steam coming out of.
‘Oh, how terrible! That man is plucking off that vulture’s feathers!’ He thought to himself.
That vulture’s poor head was hanging to the side. He was actually dead, and Buzzardean could tell so. He was shocked and uttered, ‘That can’t be possible!’
He landed close by, yet taking the necessary caution not to be seen.
He wanted to know what the man was actually going to do to that poor buzzard.
He observed that the man continued plucking off the feathers without any compassion.
‘Did he or she have any “children”? Oh, poor “children”! Buzzardean thought.
He almost attacked the man when he saw him violently plucking off the feathers.
After cleaning the vulture well, the man put him over the fire to roast for a while, put some spices on. Then he put him inside a pan with olive oil, garlic and salt.
Buzzardean kept watching closely, wanting to see every detail till the end…
When it was ready, the man took it out of the pan, called his family, and everyone began to eat a piece.
Buzzardean’s eyes almost popped out of his face and his heart beat faster and then almost stopped. He was breathing with great difficulty.
He couldn’t stand being around there any longer. Besides, there was nothing else he could do, because the vulture was already being eaten.
He felt sad, and concluded: “The humans are now eating vultures!”
‘My parents!’ (He suddenly remembered them.) ‘I have to save them!’
Suddenly this thought came to his mind: “So this is it! All that free garbage in the garbage site is not free at all! The humans are close by, watching us, making us put on weight, so that we cannot fly high. This way, they can catch us more easily!”
Everything Buzzardean thought fit together and did make sense to him.
‘Oh, my poor mom and dad… and Gilda! Would the humans have already eaten them?’ Buzzardean thought and frowned…
THE TERRIBLE MISSUNDERSTANDING (9)
Buzzardean flew up high and speedily in the sky in his new baggy Bermudas in the direction of the garbage site.
The world was in his hands now, and he couldn’t fail. He had to act fast…
When he saw the garbage site from afar where he had spent his painful childhood and youth, he anxiously wanted to start speaking. He shouted out loud!
Everyone looked toward him. Some even came to meet him, but they didn’t understand a thing.
‘Watch out! This is a trap! They are going to kill you all!’ Buzzardean spoke clearer and explained…
‘Dad! Mom! Where are you both?’
His parents were a little old and slow now. They could barely believe what they saw and heard.
Their dear son had returned… But what was that weird thing he was wearing?
‘Strange colors! Are they pants or what?’ The mother said hesitatingly.
The father, lifting his claws up to the forehead said, ‘Our son is wearing baggy bermuda shorts?’
Buzzardean’s mother, with a happy heart, added, ‘Never mind that now. He is back!’ After Buzzardean landed, he was quickly surrounded by the flock.
Buzzardean was out of breath. He wanted to say everything all at once. He hugged his parents, who didn’t take their eyes off the baggy bermudas.
The father, interrupting Buzzardean’s appeals, finally dared ask, ‘Son, why are you wearing this pair of baggy Bermuda shorts?
‘BAGGY BERMUDA SHORTS!’ Someone heard and repeated. ‘HE’S WEARING BAGGY BERMUDAS! HA! HA! HA!’ Everyone laughed.
Another vulture shouted, ‘BUZZARDEAN HAS RETURNED, BUT IN BAGGY BErMUDAS! ISN’T THAT FUNNY? HA! HA! HA!’ Everyone laughed again.
Buzzardean didn’t pay any attention and continued, “Dad, Mom. I learned and saw so many beautiful things in the forest! But there is no time to explain it now. Let us leave this place immediately. The humans are watching us. They’re going to eat all of us if we stay here!’
The crowd was still yelling and laughing. He could hardly make himself heard.
Buzzardean became very mad and flew straight up in his baggy bermudas, which were flapping ferociously against the wind.
The crowd continued scoffing and mocking at him. ‘We’ve never seen a BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD before!’ They repeated and thought it was hilarious, and continued laughing.
Everyone was now echoing, ‘BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD!’ ‘BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD!’ ‘BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD!’
Even the sophisticated fellows from the east side came to see what was happening. Among them was Gilda, who was amazed to see all that.
Up in the sky, Buzzardean shouted again, ‘Listen to me! You are all in the middle of a big trap! You all have to leave this place immediately before it is too late!’ Buzzardean also explained about the place in the forest with no garbage sites, where they could live freely and happily…
However, no one wanted to hear what Buzzardean had to say. Even his parents nodded their heads in disbelief. They were ashamed and discomforted because of the son’s attitude and retired to their nests.
Buzzardean was totally disappointed! Sorrowful and thoroughly misunderstood by everyone, he flew straight up in the sky again and then made a quick downturn… a spectacular dive!
The cold wind felt cutting against his skin because the string came loose from around his waist, causing him to lose his bemudas, leaving his thighs exposed.
Within just a few seconds his thighs became purple because of the cold wind.
Buzzardean was desperate with the loss of his baggy bermudas. He was still worried about the bermudas that protected his thighs and didn’t notice that he was swiftly approaching the ground. Everything happened so unexpectedly and because of his eye problem, he actually hit the ground!
‘AH!!!’ A general cry from the crowd. The flock could hardly believe what had happened. They lamented and moaned.
Buzzardean’s parents heard the news: ‘BAGGY BERMUDA BUZZARD KILLED HIMSELF.'
The mother fainted, so the father had to take care of her.
The mother fainted, so the father had to take care of her.
Poor Buzzardean! There he was still and motioneless on the ground, surrounded by old trash. Broken glasses… A bleeding face… a last sigh and a look that no longer could say anything.
Gilda flew swiftly to the place where he was. Now in the arms of the most coveted and most desired she-vulture of the flock was Buzzardean.
No one had truly understood what had happened or why Buzzardean had done all that.
Little by little all the vultures flew away. Everyone nodding in reproof; some feeling sorry, and others - no one knew what they were thinking.
Among the vultures now, only one general comment: ‘Did you see what happened to Baggy Bermuda Buzzard?’ ‘Why the bermuda shorts, uh?’ ‘What was he really trying to say?’
No one had actually understood a single thing!
IS THERE A HAPPY ENDING – (10)
When Gilda lifted her eyes to contemplate the sky, guess what she saw. It was Buzzardean’s pair of bermuda shorts still drifting in the air. Finally, it slowly fell to the ground, just a little distance from where they were.
Gilda thought of getting them to put them on Buzzardean. To her surprise, at this very moment, she saw that one of his wings had moved. Then she perceived that the other one also moved.
‘Was it possible that Buzzardean had just fainted and was still alive?’ Gilda thought. She could hardly believe it and anxiously pleaded, “Buzzardean, Buzzardean. Wake up! Wake up!’
‘Ah, ouch! My head! What happened?’ Buzzardean groaned.
‘Buzzardean, don’t move! You hit your head. You violently hit the ground when you were diving. How can you still be alive?’ Gilda asked in disbelief of what she saw.
‘Gilda, tell me. What has really happened? I remember I was trying to…’ (He stopped for a while.)
‘What?’ Gilda wanted to know, but first she tried to calm him down, and then continued, ‘You were desperately trying to convince everyone to leave this place. You mentioned that the humans were now killing and eating vultures, and that you had found a place to make us free. What did you really mean?’
‘Yes. That’s it! I remember everything now… But why didn’t they believe me?
‘Perhaps they thought you were mistaken.’ She said.
‘What? You too? Don’t you believe me, Gilda?’
‘Oh, that’s not the case. I think you said something that is impossible to happen. The humans have never eaten vultures before. You also mentioned a terrible scene you saw in a clearing that made you come quickly to advise us to leave the garbage site. Would you take me to that scene, so we can find out together what really happened? Maybe I could be of help to you…’
‘Sure! I would. It will be a pleasure!’ He answered.
‘Buzzardean, tell me more about that place you first went to.’ Gilda was interested to know.
‘The forest?’ Buzzardean wanted to understand the question.
‘Yes. Exactly!’ Gilda affirmed.
Buzzardean was happy that Gilda was interested in knowing about it and continued, ‘It’s fantastic! No garbage sites, no teasing, or jeering. Lots of friendly individuals…’
‘Could I fly with you over there later?’ Gilda requested.
‘Of course you could!’ Buzzardean answered and Gilda continued, “Buzzardean, I also think this place has nothing to do with me. I can’t stand this bad smell any longer.’
Buzzardean happily added, ‘Gilda, you are going to love it there! You will enjoy the beautiful leafy trees, the breeze, and the perfume of the flowers…’
Buzzardean could hardly believe what was happening. This was a dream come true! He was talking freely with the King’s daughter and she also seemed very interested…
‘Do you think you are able to fly now?’ Gilda asked with a little concern for his wounds.
‘I think I can fly with no problems. Have you seen my glasses?’ Buzzardean asked.
‘Glasses? They’re totally broken.’ Gilda replied.
‘Oh, how am I going to see well without them?’ He asked.
‘Maybe you don’t need them any more!’ She answered.
‘You may be right because I can see you perfectly well.’
Staring the ground around, Buzzardean saw his baggy bermudas nearby.
Looking into Gilda’s eyes he asked, ‘Should I continue wearing them?’
Smiling, Gilda timidly answered, ‘I don’t see why not. You looked so very elegant in them.’ And suddenly changed the subject saying, ‘Buzzardean, not that I’m unhappy, but I’m still amazed at the fact that you miraculously survived.’
While Buzzardean was putting on his bermudas, she examined the ground where Buzzardean had fallen. She found out that he fell right onto a piece of Styrofoam mattress covered with dirt. It was very thick and soft, which made it possible to save his life…
Hand in Hand, or wings touching wings, they flew away. First to the site where Buzzardean had seen the man kill the vulture.
They examined the feathers that had been plucked off. Then they finally concluded that it was really a hen that the man had killed to eat – not a vulture! They both laughed out loud at his previous mistaken conclusion.
Hand in Hand again, they flew out in the blue sky until they reached the forest.
There, our Baggy Bermuda Buzzard and his beloved Gilda knew and loved the place and decided to live there happily… ever after!!!
D E D I C A T I O N
I dedicate this book to all people of the world, as well as my own children and grandchildren…
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I give special thanks to my husband Joseph for his love, companionship, and support regarding this and other books I have written and will still write! I also extend special thanks to illustrations made byNilton Cesar Souza, and to my niece, Bianca Barbetta for her great job in helping with the set up of this blog.
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(Other books will soon be available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French and other languages…)
(At Google: Look for FREE instantaneous translation to any language…)
Your COMMENTS are desired and welcome!
Your COMMENTS are desired and welcome!
