Caring - Feathered or Not

 

"I don't want to make a bird out of a pine cone!" Arriving for the morning's nature study, this rambunctious ten-year-old boy had seen the projects of the six to eight- year-olds strewn about on the table and grass. Those children had chosen a cone, colored and glued on paper wings and bills, and then formed a nest of twigs, grass, moss, dog fur, and - in some cases - mud for it to "nest" in. He did not want to do what the younger kids had done. Of course not.

 "Don't worry," I assured him, "we won't be making any birds." He and his age-mates gathered around as I brought out the various birds' nests that I have collected over the years. Passing them around the circle, I explained how each bird carefully constructs a nest for its young using whatever materials are available that suits it. We had looked at pictures of birds likely to be found in our area and talked about where those nests might be built. Some are high up in trees, made of small branches and added on to year after year; some are found in holes which the birds peck into dead trees, hollowing out a space just big enough for the nest and nestlings. Others are built in low shrubs or on the ground in such a way that they are camouflaged from all but the most observant.  Indeed - the lives of their young depend on it.

"I don't want to make a bird... or a mud nest, either." He was adamant and the others looked as if they might agree. "You don't have to - that's what the younger kids did. You're all older, so we'll do something different - out in the woods." The eyes rolled and the questions started, but I learned long ago that enthusiasm and mystique only add to a learning experience, so plowed on. "You'll see - you'll be constructing something..."

The overall theme of the week was "Under Construction" with a sub-theme each day. We would be delving into how a community shares, cares, worships, and celebrates. My intent was to tie these into nature studies.

 

 

 

 

We had looked into how ants share within their anthill and on this day were learning how hard birds work to care for their young - even before any eggs are laid. And we humans? It definitely takes effort, and sometimes sacrifices, to care for each other. We talked about the ways in which we can show that we do care for others.

 

 

Each child chose a rock and then we were off to the woods. A short ways in they were given their challenge: to pretend their rock was a bird, explore and choose what they thought was a good spot for a nest, construct the nest using whatever they could find, and make sure that their "bird" fit in the nest. Oh - and one more thing. They were each given a simple pair of tongs to use during some of the construction. Birds don't have hands with fingers and thumbs, you know.

 

 

Later, as I related this experience to the mom of that particular boy, she told me of his reaction to this activity. He came out of the woods, sought her out, and exclaimed: "Mom, come see the nest that I made!" While I care deeply about all of the children that I interact with, it's not always easy to get through to them. I have to say - that one statement pretty much made my day!

 

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O LORD of hosts,

my King and my God.

Psalms 84: 3

 

 

Selling their possessions and goods,

they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2:45

All Goes Round

Round

is the sun,

seeming to rise each day

and descend each night,

 

 

providing heat and light and more

than a touch of mystery.

 

 

It is round

we are told,

but we dare not stare it in the face

 

 

to see for ourselves

except in that very rare case.

 

 

Round

is the moon

appearing to rise and traverse the sky.

 

 

Although it may not be fully seen

from where we are,

 

 

so small and far below,

I see its rounded edge.

 

 

I know this is true,

for I have seen its full, round face

 

 

reflecting back the sun's warm glow

more times than you may ever know.

 

 

Round

is the earth

 

 

although I cannot easily detect it,

 

 

nor can you,

nor most others across thousands of years.

 

 

Some, I'm told,

had the depth of curiosity,

 

 

imagination, vision, and fortitude

to prove that it was so.

 

 

And so it is,

as by now we all surely know.

 

 

Round

is found here

- on this earth which hangs suspended

 

 

as if on an invisible cord,

dangling in the immense void -

rhythmically reflected in myriad things.

 

 

I know not how,

nor do most of us, nor do we care,

 

 

which is a shame

 

 

for round is found

most everywhere.

 

 

"The soul goes round upon a wheel of stars and all things return....Good and evil go round in a wheel that is one thing and not many.





 

Do you not realise in your heart, do you not believe behind all your beliefs, that there is but one reality and we are its shadows; and that all things are but aspects of one thing; a centre where men melt into Man and Man into God? ..."

 ~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton