Small Beginnings


All this little creature does, it seems, is sleep; well, sleep and eat the shredded paper it’s laying on… mind you, it is a very old dictionary, and that’s enough to put anyone to sleep.

I’m going to have to build a special aviary for it (him/her); I know for a fact this species, especially when fully grown, have very particular needs. Plenty of space to fly around in… a cave or something to hide or sleep in (but looking at the tiny thing now, if this sleep pattern continues I may never see it (him/her) fully grown).

It’s funny how I came across the little critter… it was still half in it’s egg, screeching to be free, but it was in the middle of a field, partially hidden in the parched grass  and nowhere near any of the trees that surround the place.

I scooped the bird and shell up, which was very hot to the touch but I persevered with it, I couldn’t leave it where it was.

I brought it back, shredded the dictionary pages, and lay the shell down so the bird could free itself; it seemed to burp a tiny flame after nibbling on a shred of paper, and then went to sleep – the flame telling me this is a fire bird, a phoenix, and they aren’t as mythological as I first thought.

Posted for Six Sentence Stories. This week, Denise has chosen Fire as the prompt word.

23 responses to “Small Beginnings”

  1. Misky avatar

    Aaaah, so sweet, and such a lovely story for her, ‘she’ if you follow the Slavic tradition, just like a bedtime story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      It makes sense, Misky. She does feel like a she! 😃

      Like

  2. Frank Hubeny avatar

    The fire bird will make an interesting pet. That might be the best use for paper dictionaries today.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Possibly, Frank… but they won’t last very long! 😂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Liz H-H avatar

    I love this story! We can’t always prevent forest fires, but we can rescue those victimized, and help them heal themselves. 💖💜💖

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom avatar

      Exactly, Liz. Help where we can. 😃

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Chris Hall avatar

    How very lovely – such a sweet story, Tom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thank you, Chris.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. poetisatinta avatar

    What a lovely story s/he looks so sweet and surprisingly content- beautiful photo too I hope there’s a bright future for you both ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      I think so… thank you.
      And she is a she! 😃

      Liked by 1 person

  6. clark avatar

    ya know, maybe it’s a baby crunch bird! wouldn’t that be something!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      It would if I knew what one was, Clark! 😂

      Like

  7. Reelika Pedak avatar

    A cute little Firebird … Aww.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      😃 Thanks, Reelika.

      Like

  8. Aptivi avatar

    Awww… such a sweet cute firebird.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thank you, Aptivi.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aptivi avatar

        You’re welcome, Tom.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. imnobodywhoareyou avatar

    Are you sure it’s not a dragon?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      It is possible, Len. Some dragons do have feathers…

      Liked by 1 person

  10. GirlieOnTheEdge avatar

    A triple W, Tom. I love this tale…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      Thanks, Denise.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. messymimi's meanderings avatar

    I wonder what it will need to eat besides paper.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom avatar

      She likes chilli 🌶 seeds, Mimi.

      Like

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