"The lady was patient.
Each day she let
Barnaby nuzzle her
neck with his feathers.
She also talked gently to the
yellow bird, and offered him
seeds and slices of tangerine."
Barnaby is content in his life with the lady who feeds him, and provides shelter and companionship. He has freedom to fly about the house when the lady is home, nuzzling her neck in a show of welcome. So, he is a bit put out when she adds a new member to the household. That small yellow bird is not welcome, as far as Barnaby is concerned. He does his level best to ignore it, and to let his lady know he is not happy with its presence. She is patient, until she is not.
One evening, when she lets him out of his cage for his fly-about and their evening visit, Barnaby shows his anger by tearing apart a favored pillow.
"The lady's face turned as red
as her hair, and she shut him
in his cage."
It does nothing to tame his temper. When she releases him from his cage the next day, Barnaby heads out the window and is gone. He does not look back. It isn't long until he is lost; nothing is familiar to him. Nearby brown sparrows do not welcome him, even though Barnaby tries to entertain them with his song. Hesitant, he tries again. He is hungry and thirsty. The tiniest sparrow shows concern and finally offers a red berry. Barnaby joins the flock. As they fly, so does he. They offer advice for his life in the outdoors. Barnaby follows their lead.
His memories of the lady and the little yellow bird do not fade. Barnaby spends his evenings searching for the falling-down house where he once lived. His search finally finds him looking in the window to see his golden cage, its door open and welcoming. Using the skills he has learned from his other bird family, Barnaby makes amends.
Ms. Curtis pens a story filled with emotion. Readers will feel all that Barnaby feels as he deals with jealousy, anger, and the results of running away. Then, the gratitude he feels toward his adopted family, and the quiet lessons they teach. Finally, the restrained joy he feels in finding family again ... and home.
This book makes for an enjoyable readaloud, and a sure conversation starter.
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