First Flight “Come on, honey. You can do it,” Mother chirped, hovering in front of me. Her wings beat slowly downward, keeping her airborne. The sun reflected off her bright red plumage, seeming to set her on fire. She gazed at me, caring eyes encouraging me forward.
I glanced downward at my feet nervously, nudging a twig aside with one talon. This would be my first flight, and every nerve in my body seemed to be on edge. My heart was beating so rapidly in my chest I was sure Mother could see it.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. The attempt proved unsuccessful. Swallowing once, I took a hesitant first step out of the nest.
I was falling, gravity dragging me quickly downward through the air. I opened my beak to scream, only to find that I had forgotten how to speak. The wind was whipping past my ears, blocking out all other sounds.
Then Mother was beside me, yelling into my ear.
“Your wings! Flap your wings!” she shouted. I extended my wings, catching the air. My downward descant slowed. I flapped downward once, and felt my entire body move upward. I flapped once more, floating in the air.
“You did it!” Mother yelled in a prideful voice. I’m flying, I thought. I really am! I’M FLYING!!! It was like nothing I’d ever felt. I felt so light, so free. I was on top of the world, and I didn’t think I ever want to land again.
“But hovering is only part of flying.” She flew upward, and I followed as best I could. Soon, we had broken through the canopy of the forest.
“Now, you have to learn to catch the wind. It’s your friend; always glide when you can.” She demonstrated, catching the breeze, her wings fully extended. She flew quickly forward on the back of the wind. “Remember though,” she said, glancing back. “The wind is a traitorous friend. It will as soon as kill you as save your life.”
***
Hours later, I and mother flew back to our small nest. I felt like my wings were about to fall off; I was so tired. We landed on the smooth twigs of the nest mother had constructed for me.
She glanced at me, eyeing me up and down. She chirped in laughter.
“You’ll get better at it, honey. Trust me. You just have to build up your muscles. Rest. I go see about getting us some food.” She jumped out of the nest and flew off into the fading sunlight.
What a day I had, I thought. Flying. I can fly.
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