Story: Twisted Wing

The sun peeks over the horizon, and Pip, the deer mouse, scurries out of her cozy hollow in the big cypress tree. She pushes and stretches in the morning sunlight, “It’s going to be a beautiful day.”

Mia, the blue jay, is already awake, shaking the morning dew off her iridescent blue and white feathers.

“Ready for a new adventure?” Pip calls up to Mia.

Mia swoops down and lands beside Pip, “Absolutely! I hear the fall flowers in the meadow are blooming. Let’s go see them?”

Pip’s eyes sparkle with excitement, “We can visit Moonbeam and Rosemary while we are there! Let’s go!”

Pip and Mia make their way through the Watercolor Woods toward the meadow, passing Canvas Creek, and walking along the trail near Stippling River.

“Mia, there is Oliver, the bullfrog. He is sunbathing at the creek,” Pip points out to her.

“Good morning, Oliver!” The two friends wave as they pass by the creek.

“Careful Mia, the stones are smooth and slippery here,” Pip hops from stone to stone.

“Watch out for those twisted roots under the oak tree,” Mia calls out to Pip and flies up to the tree branches. “The meadow is just ahead, and the fall flowers are beautiful from up here.”

As Mia takes off to rejoin Pip, a gust of wind whips a branch right into Mia’s wing! “Ow!” Mia lets out a sharp cry and falls onto the woodland floor.

“Oh! Mia!” Pip runs to her. “Your wing! It’s twisted!”

“I think the branch hit it,” Mia winces.

“Don’t move,” Pip's voice is shaky. “I’ll get help.”

“Help!” Pip calls from the trail while trying to keep Mia in sight.

Henry, the groundhog, steps out of a busy area under the trees. “What happened?” He sees Mia on the ground.

“Mia hurt her wing,” Pip explains. “She needs help.”

Henry nods, “I will stay with Mia. Go get Rosemary or Moonbeam. They are in the meadow, and they will know what to do.

Pip searches the tall grass and wildflowers in Palette Place Meadow, calling out, “Moonbeam! Rosemary! Help!”

“Pip? What’s wrong?” Rosemary, the rabbit asks with a mouthful of clover.

“Mia’s hurt!” Pip pants and tries to catch her breath. “She hurt her wing, and she can’t fly! Henry is with her, but we need help.”

“Where is she?” Rosemary asks.

Pip points in Mia’s direction, “Not far from the edge of the meadow, under the old oak tree, near the river’s edge.”

“I will follow you. Let’s go!” Rosemary hops to the trail.

“Mia!” Rosemary rushes over and examines Mia’s wing. “That looks painful! Let’s get you over to the meadow. There are herbs we can use to treat your wing there.”

“How will we get her to the Meadow?” Pip asks.

Moonbeam, the skunk, waddles over from the trail. Out of breath, “I heard you in the meadow, and I have come to help.”

“We can make a stretcher for Mia out of branches, leaves, and moss,” Henry suggests.

“I’ll get the branches,” Rosemary begins searching the woodland floor.

“And I’ll collect the leaves and moss,” Moonbeam offers.

“Pip. I will stay with Mia. Can you gather a few vines to tie the branches together and make a rope to pull Mia?” Henry asks.

“Yes.” Pip takes off into the trees.

Soon the woodland friends have a sturdy stretcher and slowly journey to the meadow.

Together, they make a soft bed of grass and leaves for Mia to heal in the coming days.

“Here are the herbs,”. Rosemary applies them to the injured wing. “I will wrap the wing with these leaves and moss.”

Pip brings Mia fresh water from the river. “Thank you, Pip! Thank you everyone!” Mia lies in the bed they built for her.

Pip stays close to Mia day and night, comforting her friend.

Boone, the raccoon, stops by every evening with food. “Here are some berries and nuts for you, Mia. I brought enough for Pip and Rosemary, too. How is the patient doing?”

“She is healing nicely. Thank you for the food,” Rosemary smiles. “Look! There is Ember, the owl. He flies over the meadow every night from sundown to sunrise, keeping Mia safe while she is healing.”

“I am thankful to have such wonderful friends,” Mia smiles. “I miss flying. It feels odd to be on the ground for so long.”

Pip snuggles close to Mia, “A little longer, and your wing will be good as new.

“I know,” Mia sighs.

Over the next few days, Mia’s wing heals. “Look, I can stretch my wing a little further every day!”

“Let me take a look.” Rosemary examines Mia’s wing. “It’s time to take the bandages off.”

Rosemary gently removes the leaves and herbs, “Stretch it a bit, and see how that feels.”

“How does it feel now that the bandages are off?” Henry asks.

“It looks strong enough to fly,” Rosemary observes.

“Let’s give it a try,” Mia nervously says.

She stretches her wings, “Here goes nothing!”

“You can do it!” Pip cheers.

Mia flaps her wings and lifts off the ground. Everyone cheers, claps, and shouts as she takes off and circles the meadow.

Landing beside Pip, Mia smiles, “Thank you everyone. It feels great!”

Her friends gather around her and congratulate her with hugs.

“You are ready for our next adventure!” Pip declares.

“I am,” Mia agrees.