Robin’s Journey

By Luisa Wey

Even though Charlie is doing very well in school, he can’t wait for summer vacation at his grandparents’ farm. Charlie confides to his grandfather that he’s been having some problems with his friends from school. That’s when grandfather shares a special fable—Robin’s Journey, a life-changing tale about a little bird who finds himself in search of a place to call home.

After a tragedy, Robin moves to a new community where he grows from an outsider to a leader, loved and respected by all but one bird: Chaim. Realizing that change is a constant, Robin finds the best way to deal with the unexpected as well as the conflicts that arise with Chaim and the other birds.

Throughout his journey, Robin learns and teaches valuable lessons, from using emotions in an intelligent way to working in a team. As Charles gets to know Robin, his own life takes unexpected turns. Robin’s Journey narrates an amazing story of the search for the most precious knowledge of all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Apr 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483409894

Book preview

Origin

Prologue

M y name is Charles, and I really admire my grandfa ther.

My grandfather is a hard-working man, and he lives with my grandmother on a farm to which I go every year in the summer. This year I couldn’t wait for school to be over. The first day of vacation started with a beautiful, sunny morning, and I woke up and took the road to my grandfather’s farm.

I arrived to an incredible sunset and left my stuff in my room, and my grandfather and I went for a walk. As we were walking, I looked around at the colorful and vibrant atmosphere that was buzzing with life everywhere.

Walking under the sun, away from school and away from the city, gave me an incredible sensation of freedom. I felt like I was in another universe, and all my troubles seemed light years away.

Despite my grandfather’s advanced age and white hair, going up the trail didn’t seem to require much of an effort from him. He is tall, tanned, and strong, with red cheeks and a healthy look.

My grandfather turned to me and, while looking me in the eyes, asked me, How is life in the big city, Charlie? How is your school? Your mother told me that you’re doing very well in school!

The minute I heard this, the magic of the moment suddenly faded, as if a mirror had cracked.

Not very well, I thought, but then I gruffly answered, "I’m doing very well at school, thank you."

As I said this, one of the farm workers passed by. He interrupted us and said to my grandfather, Hello! How are you doing? How is your family?

My grandfather replied, Hello, my friend! I am very well, and so is my lady. How are you? And how is your baby girl? Did she recover from that toothache?

My baby is much better, said the worker, smiling. My wife and I are even sleeping more now … almost the whole night! Thanks for asking.

At each place we passed we met people, and they all greeted my grandfather. He replied to everybody with kindness and attention, and it really made an impression on me to see how respected and dear my grandpa was to these people.

Then he turned to me and said, Charlie, congratulations for doing so well in school.

He said these words looking at me with his bright blue eyes and with a genuine enthusiasm and the most sincere happiness that I’ve seen in similar circumstances. I stopped walking, turned to him, and in an embarrassed manner admitted, Listen, Grandpa, I know it all seems perfect, but to be honest with you, I’m not happy. I’ve been having some problems at school, and I came here hoping to find a solution.

Tell me what’s bothering you, Charlie.

"You see, grandpa, I’ve always been a very good student, and, even though I wasn’t the most popular kid at school, I’ve always had my share of friends. Until this kid named Andrew moved to my school. Andrew is smart and clever and, at the same time, very popular. In a few weeks everybody started to like him and respect him. For some reason I started to get more and more irritated by him, but I can’t understand why I feel this way."

Looking into my eyes, my grandfather asked, Well, why do you think you feel this way?

Maybe because even my own friends listen to him much more than they listen to me now. I don’t know for sure.

And what did you do then?

Well, I continued, I started studying more and isolated myself. That’s why I got better grades, but this doesn’t mean I’m happier. I stopped talking to my friends, and whenever I walk down the hallway, I see Andrew, the center of attention, telling jokes while everybody laughs. Every time I see this, I feel as if they’re laughing at me.

When Grandpa heard this, he stopped walking and became serious. After a minute of silence, he told me, You might not believe this, but right after I moved here I went through a similar situation.

You did, really?! I can’t believe it! And what happened?

Well … one day, my grandfather continued, I got so stressed that I decided to do one of the things I enjoy doing the most.

Oh, I know! You decided to spend the afternoon watching birds, right?

Exactly! he confirmed. But before going out I needed my binoculars, and while I was searching for them in the basement, I came across a fascinating book about birds.

A book about birds? I asked, intrigued.

"Well, it’s not really about birds … I guess the most interesting thing about this fable is that each person can learn something different from it, something they need."

With a twinkle in his eye, Grandpa leaned in as if he was telling me the biggest secret of all time and said, This is a fable that helped me a lot.

How did this fable help you? Did you manage to solve your problem? I asked, dying of curiosity.

Do you want to hear the fable or not?

I can’t wait!

The fable begins with Robin …

The Beginning

R obin was a happy gray-brown bird who had a warm orange belly; small, smart eyes graciously placed in a tiny black head; and long, brown legs.

Robin had many siblings and lived with his family on the banks of a beautiful lagoon. The only civilization close to where they lived was a farm located some miles away, so Robin and his family lived almost completely isolated. In the lagoon, they always found many appetizing insects,