It's beginning to look a lot like...
Time to do a contest! Thanks to Susanna Hill for putting on another fun contest. It needs to be:
- A children's story about a holiday helper
- 250 words or less
Details here
The Christmas Owl
Word Count - 244
In the darkness of the forest,
the young owl swooped,
plunging his talons
through powdery snow.
In the warmth of a fire
Dara gazed at Christmas lights
dancing a rainbow
on the wintery world.
A shadow of wings flickered by.
An owl?
* * *
Dara’s footsteps were silent
as she walked between the trees.
She stopped,
staring in awe.
An impression in the snow,
a perfect pair of wings.
An owl?
* * *
Freezing rain fell,
coating every surface in crystal.
Dara explored,
marveling at the frozen world.
A shadow caught her eye.
A stooped shape!
An owl!
She tiptoed closer.
She watched, still and silent.
Her toes went numb.
The owl didn’t move.
Was it hurt?
Did it need help?
“I’ll be right back!” Dara whispered.
* * *
When Kaylee, the wildlife expert, arrived,
they watched the owl together.
“When the snow forms a crust,” she murmured,
“young owls can’t punch through to catch their prey.
They get too hungry to hunt,
too hungry to move.”
Dara’s heart felt as icy
as the world around her.
Would the owl be OK?
Was she too late?
Kaylee crept
towards the owl.
She enveloped him in a blanket,
gently placed him in a box.
Dara’s sigh of relief
made a puff in the wintery air.
* * *
On Christmas eve,
the ice melted.
Kaylee called.
At dusk,
they walked
into the dripping woods.
Kaylee held the owl high,
gently relaxed her grip.
The owl flew!
“Merry Christmas!”
whispered Dara
to the empty forest.
Did you know that birds can leave prints of their wings in the snow? This print is from a grouse, but owls leave them too!
Read more about an owl print story and see pictures here!
Like most wild animals, owls have survival strategies for most weather, including to coldest of winters. Some conditions can be extra hard, and a young owl might struggle. When a layer of ice freezes over the snow, the owl can't punch through to catch the rodents scurrying below! If the owl gets too hungry, it might need help.
If an owl is starving, it may sit on the ground rather than flying away, even if you are near. Don't get too close though! Call a wildlife rehabilitator for help. Find out more about how owls can get help here.
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