Tale Feathers

By Brian Meade

Coco was fixated by the clock on the wall. It felt as if the hands barely moved, counting the seconds in minutes and the hours in days. "Biggest point, two more clicks," he murmured under his breath, clicking his beak in unison with the clock.  

 

The moment had finally arrived! "Good morning guys!" his voice reverberated through the cavernous rooms of the old wooden house.

 

He was met first with quiet, and then the complaints started...

 

Coco, Pablo, Squeaker, Kiku, and Red are an odd flock of parrots who have been living under one roof with the same family for years. Like any other family, they've grown a little too comfortable and a little tired of each other's company and their mundane daily experiences.  

 

Soon, change arrives in a way none of them could have expected. One day, the quirky flock finds their lives taking a turn that leads them on a several day, cross-town adventure.  

 

They pick up some new friends along the way, and their sometimes frightening real-world experiences leave them with a newfound appreciation for each other and the human family they've taken for granted.  

 

Will things be the same at adventure's end, or will their lives be changed forever? Find out in Tale Feathers, a new novel by Brian Meade, perfect for readers and bird lovers young and old.  

 

"Reveals the wonderful chaos of the flock."—Kevin Hils, Bronx Zoo

• Language: English
• Publisher: Who Chains You Books
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781946044952

Book preview

talefeatherscover20hi.jpg

Copyright 2020 by Brian Meade

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by electronic means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote passages in a review.

Published by Who Chains You Publishing

P.O. Box 581

Amissville, VA 20106

www.WhoChainsYou.com

Written by Brian Meade

Cover and interior design by Tamira Thayne

www.tamirathayne.com

E-Book ISBN: 978-1-946044-95-2

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-946044-94-5

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

Dedication

This book is dedicated ot the millions of birds, still looking for their homes.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Best Friends Animal Society

and The Oasis Sanctuary

Testimonial

"Brian Meade’s Tale Feathers is a wonderful story that revolves around a family and their pet parrots.

"Brian does an excellent job of revealing the personalities of parrots Coco, Kiku, Pablo, Squeaker and Red and the issues of birds around the house—the wonderful chaos of the flock when birds and people share the same space.

He also explores todays’ joys and difficulties of being in a multi-generational family...I enjoyed the book as a person who has experienced companion birds in a home and the trouble and joy that they bring your family; I think kids will as well!—Kevin Hils, Ornithology Collections Manager, Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society

Contents

Chapter One: Wake Up!

Chapter Two: Shower Time

Chapter Three: The Kids Are Coming

Chapter Four: Family Gathering

Chapter Five: Dinner

Chapter Six: Hot Pepper

Chapter Seven: Free Ride

Chapter Eight: He Bit Me!

Chapter Nine: A New Day

Chapter Ten: Playing Games

Chapter Eleven: Birdnapped

Chapter Twelve: Mayhem

Chapter Thirteen: Flying Lessons

Chapter Fourteen: Dungeon

Chapter Fifteen: Out for a Drive

Chapter Sixteen: Dog Talk

Chapter Seventeen: Bird Food

Chapter Eighteen: Shelter Life

Chapter Nineteen: New Routine

Chapter Twenty: Adopters?

Chapter Twenty-One: One Ugly Dog

Chapter Twenty-Two: Sunflower Seeds

Chapter Twenty-Three: Not This Guy!

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rotten Luck

Chapter Twenty-Five: Where to Now

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Shack

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Mean Man

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Old Days

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Hero Bird

Chapter Thirty: Escape!

Chapter Thirty-One: Camping

Chapter Thirty-Two: Finding Home

Chapter Thirty-Three: Traffic

Chapter Thirty-Four: Animal Control

Chapter Thirty-Five: Grandpa

Chapter Thirty-Six: A Real Family

Chapter One

Wake Up!

Coco was fixated by the clock on the wall. It felt as if the hands barely moved, counting the seconds in minutes and the hours in days. Biggest point, two more clicks, he murmured under his breath, clicking his beak in unison with the clock.

The early morning rays of sunlight started to break through the blossoms on the trees outside and creep up the wall adjacent to Coco.

One more click left, he murmured to himself again, bracing himself for the moment.

The trickle of sunlight drifted ever so slightly up the wall, reflecting off the faded yellow and grapevine wallpaper pattern. Within a few more seconds, the tip of light reached the bottom of the clock Coco had been staring at, as the hand moved once more.

The moment had finally arrived! Good morning guys! his voice reverberated through the cavernous rooms of the old wooden house. Dust particles filled the air around him after his morning greeting. They floated up around him like smoke billowing into the sky, before settling on the table and chairs immediately in front of him.

Coco looked around in dismay. He braced himself again and let out an even louder, Good morning guys!!

This time, there was movement next to him.

Ugggh. Really? Do you have to do that every single day? a rather perturbed voice asked, seemingly irritated by Coco’s persistence.

C’mon Red. You should know me better than any bird here. When the sun reaches the clock, it’s time for breakfast! Coco replied enthusiastically while shaking some of the dust off his own body.

Just like yesterday, right? And the day before that? And what about the day before that? Oh, and I almost forgot...the entire year before that!? Red huffed back to Coco, who was now basking in the bit of sunlight that was reaching him, showing off his silky gray feathers.

Coco shot a quick glance and a slight grin to Red, Exactly, old man!

Red glared back at him through the corner of his eye. Better watch it, ‘new guy,’ you ain’t exactly a spring parrot yourself! Red took a moment to groom himself, placing all his feathers back into their natural positions, forming a vivid green and red pattern across his body and wingtips.

A little voice squeaked out from farther down the room, Already? Wow! The night just flew right by! Right, Pabs, what do you think?

What do I think? Do you really want me to tell you what I think of sleeping with your tail hitting me in the face all night and then being stepped on and thrown off the perch because you dreamed about your old ‘furry friend’ again? Pablo picked himself up off the floor and started making his way to the ladder near his partner. His stubby little body made it easy to squeeze past his partner’s long, flowing tail feathers.

Oh, you’re such a storyteller! I still say you’re just jealous that your feathers aren’t as long and bright as mine! Squeaker stretched, smugly showing off the length of his feathers and their bright yellow colors across his entire body.

‘You’ll love Squeaker,’ they said. ‘He’s such a fun guy to live with,’ they claimed. What did I ever do to deserve this? Pablo complained the entire distance up the ladder, gripping each rung in his beak while pulling his legs up the sides.

Oh, stop it Pabs. We’re perfect cagemates! Besides that, you could use some color in your life. I’ve never seen a bird match green and gray like you do, Squeaker quipped, in a much-too-enthusiastic tone for that hour of the morning.

Just then, another shrill voice shouted out from the far end of the room. Kiku! Kiku Kiku Kiku!

Good morning Kiku! Coco replied, trying to talk over the nonstop bickering between Squeaker and Pablo.

Kiku. Kiku. KIku? Kiku!! the voice called back.

Yes Kiku, it’s almost time for breakfast.

Kiku Kiku Kiku. Kikikuku Kiku? the words trailed off into an unintelligible string of chirps and whistles.

Calm down, little guy. You know I have trouble understanding you when you get too excited!

KIKU! the voice replied, with a very sharp tone, while little coughs followed it.

Well! No need to get nasty about it! I’m sure he’ll be downstairs in a moment, Coco assured.

Red laughed. Even though I don’t understand him, I completely understood that! Red looked down the row of cages that lined the wall next to him, You tell him what’s what, Kiku!

The little voice calmed down a bit and started to talk in more coherent words, Will Grandpa be down soon? Huh? Do you think? Coco looked down the row of cages toward Kiku’s voice. The only thing in sight was the little black head of this small fluffy bird.

C’mon everyone. You all know the routine. In a little while, Grandpa will be down here to have some breakfast, just like usual. He just needs a little extra time to get ready these days.

Red let out an annoyed grunt. Only because he doesn’t have Helen to kick him out of that bed anymore…

The floorboards overhead started to creak and groan under the footsteps of someone slowly walking above. Clicks, pops and various noises from the wood marked the path from the room just above the birds to the stairs toward the front door.

Grandpa’s awake guys! We all know what that means, right? Coco was pacing around the one large perch that spanned his cage while excitedly making the announcement to the rest of the flock.

Breakfast!! Kiku shrieked.

The footsteps started to get closer as they made their way down the stairs. Being near the doorway, Coco was the first to see the familiar face of his old friend.

Coco! Red, Squeaker, Pablo, and Kiku! a shaky old voice rang out with enthusiasm. Good morning, fellas.

The room came to life with a flurry of activity. Feathers were ruffling, food bowls were banging and birds were singing!

Nearly all the birds shouted out in unison, Good morning Grandpa! All of them except Red, who was just standing there, giving the crooked old man a sideways look.

The old man walked past Red’s cage and gave him a quick nod. I miss her too, old pal. Why don’t you come out for a bit and hang out on your play stand.

The old man reached down and swung open the door to Red’s cage before continuing through the room. Between the bird cages on one wall; the kitchen appliances on the far wall; and a maze of wooden bird stands, chairs, and a kitchen table, what was once a spacious kitchen resembled the inside of an RV.

The only object of interest to Red in this claustrophobic mess was what once may have been considered a play stand. It was no more than a small tree trunk anchored to a block of wood that sat on the floor. The toys that had once adorned it were chewed up and torn away in bits and pieces. Most of the branches had long ago broken and were now poorly fastened with loose screws and rope. Still, this was Red’s safe spot, perhaps because he was the only bird brave enough to trust it.

Before making his way fully into the kitchen, the old man took a second to open each of the birds’ cages so they could stretch out a bit from their nightly confinement.

Exercise time! Squeaker chirped, as he eagerly flapped his wings to gently hover over his cage door.

Show off, Pablo grumbled, while using his beak to swing around the cage bars.

Don’t worry Pabs, one day you’ll learn! Squeaker shouted out, masking his own pride with the pep talk.

Food! Food food food food foooooood foooooooooood! Kiku’s words grew increasingly louder and more distorted.

The whistles, shrieks, chirps, and shouts were deafening, yet the old man kept moving without a pause. I know, I know. I wish I still had your energy, Kiku! If you settle down, I’ll feed you first, the old man replied. Bags of grapes, chopped celery, carrots, apples, and small seeds now covered the kitchen counters as the man took handfuls of each and sprinkled them into small food bowls he had lined up near the sink.

The old man held up an apple and looked at Red. Remember when we used to go to the produce stand with Helen? I used to say you were the same color as these apples. His voice trailed off, getting lost in the accompanying thought.

Red looked over at Coco and they both looked down, sheepishly shuffling their feet along their perches. Like it was yesterday… Red whispered in a barely audible squawk.

Coco looked at Red. I remember the way she’d make Grandpa bring us both on those walks into town with them. She was an amazing mom.

Coco, tell him I want some extra almonds today. Pleeeeeaaase? Squeaker whistled over.

Coco looked up from his silence and sighed, You need to learn to say something now and then too, you know. Look, it’s not that hard, you just click your beak like this and vibrate your neck like so.

Wanta cork nut! Coco’s words left his beak with crystal clarity.

Almonds, old buddy. you mean almonds. The man reached into a brown bag on the kitchen counter.

Seeing the almonds in the old man’s hands, Squeaker took Coco’s advice and placed his beak together, let out a bit of a rumble, and shouted out, Squeaker!

What’s that, Squeaker? the old man asked, with a hint of a grin.

Coco looked over at Squeaker. Ummm, what was that?

What do you mean? Squeaker asked.

‘Squeaker’? That doesn’t even sound like ‘almond.’ Look, here’s how you’re supposed to do it. Coco clicked his beak and shouted again, Wanta cork nut!

Squeaker soon followed with the same exclamation, Squeaker.

The old man looked over at Squeaker, who was bobbing and shivering at the sight of the large, porous, brown shells in his hands. I guess you want some of these ‘cork nuts’ too, Squeaker? he laughed. You got to practice, little guy. Not everyone speaks ‘bird’ as well as I do!

Chapter Two

Shower Time

The room looked like a tornado of fruit skins, newspaper shreds and seeds had crashed through one door and wreaked havoc in its path before leaving through the other. Bits of half-eaten fruit were plastered to the cage bars and a sawdust-like dusting of seed shells drifted across the floor as Grandpa let out a sigh. He knew what was in store for him; it was the same routine he did every day just after breakfast.

Gee, what a mess! the words left his mouth without so much as a thought as he looked down at Red’s cage floor and proceeded to turn himself on autopilot. It was as if he had said that line so many times over the years that his mouth automatically made the words just at the sight of the mess the kids would leave for him.

He had a routine down and everyone was well aware of what was to come. From the top of his play stand, Red looked down and started to flap his wings in excitement.

Pablo and Squeaker were racing around the outside of their cage, climbing up and down the bars, inside and out, anxiously trying to pass the time before the big moment. They also knew what was in store.

Coco was a little more direct in his approach. Realizing what time it was and hearing those words pass from Grandpa’s lips, Coco came out and simply asked, Do you want a shower?

Grandpa laughed again at Coco, No thanks old pal, but I assume you do?

From inside Red’s cage, Grandpa heard a splashing, followed by the sound of ruffled feathers. Kiku, I don’t know how you can do that!

He looked over to see Kiku trying to submerge himself in Red’s shallow water bowl. The bits of grape skin, apple chunks, and soggy seed shells floating on top of the water didn’t seem to faze him.

Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we? Grandpa asked while reaching in for Kiku.

Shower time! Kiku whistled.

OK, Kiku, time for a real bath. What do you say?

Shower time! Shower time! Give me a shower! Kiku was delighted by the idea and had no qualms about showing it. At least once a week this was a routine for the two of them: Kiku would make a mess of the cage and himself, and Grandpa would clean him up.

The two of them went to the kitchen sink and Grandpa reached down into a lower cabinet to pull out one of Kiku’s favorite objects: a spray bottle!

Grandpa placed Kiku on the edge of the sink and stepped back a couple feet. OK now, Kiku, you know the drill, right?

Kiku turned to the left and lifted a wing slightly.

Perfect, now stay right there!

The spray bottle had seen better days, as the once-clear plastic sides were clouded over with yellow stains and white rings along the inside. There were once words and images printed on the outside of the bottle, but they had faded a long time ago. The only words left, written in black magic marker, read BIRD SHOWER.

Less than two minutes later, Kiku was thoroughly soaked. His once brightly colored, smooth feathers were now matted into tiny spikes sticking up from his body with water droplets dripping off the end of each of them.

OK Kiku, it looks like we took care of that mess on you, now let’s take care of some of the others. Grandpa raised a finger and Kiku happily stepped up on it.

Grandpa looked down and said, Almost forgot! He held Kiku over the sink once more and waited…

A few seconds later, Kiku ruffled all of his feathers and vibrated his entire body so fast all Grandpa could see was a blur of green! Water sprayed everywhere! Finishing with a slight twitch of his tail, Kiku now more closely resembled a fuzzy, green dandelion than a small bird. Grandpa placed Kiku inside his cage.

Squeaker and Pablo were staring at him, waiting their turn. Remember, Squeaker, hold your breath and close your eyes! It’s not that bad, Grandpa reassured.

Squeaker was the only one of the birds who disliked taking a shower. While Pablo was pacing in anticipation, Squeaker was pacing out of fear. He froze as Grandpa approached with the spray bottle in hand. Squeaker’s feathers were flat against his body and he tucked his head as far in as he could.

On the count of three, close your eyes and hold your breath. Ready? One…two…three! Pablo counted down for Squeaker, who was too nervous to move, never mind think!

A gentle mist fell on the two of them as they stood on the top of their cage. The beads of water grew larger and larger as they landed on Squeaker’s slick surface until they rolled off his back.

Pablo, on the other hand, was enjoying the shower almost as much as he was Squeaker’s discomfort. Not that he liked seeing his friend upset; it was just one of the few things that kept Squeaker quiet! For Pablo, shower time was also quiet time!

Within a few minutes, the shower ended and Squeaker breathed a huge sigh of relief. Despite the steady mist of water, Squeaker barely had a drop left on him as opposed to Pablo whose wings were spread and feathers relaxed enough to allow the water to penetrate down to his skin.

You need to relax a bit Squeaker, like I do! he said while shaking off the last bit of water he could.

I have to go dry off, Squeaker replied, while he found a spot on the back of the cage and proceeded to sit there, preening his feathers in silence. Pablo couldn’t be happier.

Red, despite your age, you still amaze me! Grandpa commented as he was spraying Red down. There were chirps, whistles, coos, and a few Hi Reds flowing out of Red’s mouth as the water was flowing out of the spray bottle.

Red was practically flipping over upside down on his stand