The Family of Blackbirds and Other Stories

By Chika Echebiri

This is a work of fiction that centers on some of lifes experiences. There are moral lessons to be learned, too, based on the roles played out by the different characters portrayed in this book. Young readers would find the stories informative, entertaining, and captivating, as a result of different cultural mix reflected within. The collection of stories begin with The Family of Blackbirds, which describes the family life of a close-knit family of blackbirds and the imminent danger that loomed over them, as revealed in a dream to one of the blackbirds. There is also Zizi - a girl who learns a lesson the hard way all because she failed to listen to a simple advice given to her.
Some acts of heroism are seen in Emekas Bravery and Gerda and the Missing Ring. Susans First Day in School, which is the last of the collection of stories, is a reflection of the tension felt by most children when they are attending school for the first time. But Susan here was able to overcome her initial apprehension and adjust readily to the new school environment to her parents delight. I hope this collection of stories would delight and inspire my readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543459340

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Chika Echebiri.

ISBN:                  Softcover                       978-1-5434-5933-3

                             eBook                           978-1-5434-5934-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/18/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

769387

Contents

Acknowledgement

The Family of Blackbirds

Zizi learns a hard lesson

Gerda and the missing ring

Emeka’s Bravery

Susan’s First Day at School

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my family and friends.

Warm Regards,

Chika

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I WISH TO thank the publishing crew at xlibris, especially, Maria, Jorge and Dawn for their guidance and support in producing this book. I also thank storyblocks and pixabay pictures for the lovely illustrations provided. You all made it fun, putting all these together.

Sincerely,

Chika.

THE FAMILY OF BLACKBIRDS

I T IS a silent night and a new moon makes its appearance in the sky. A family of four blackbirds are glad of its presence. The mother blackbird named Lola and her three young blackbirds – Kiki, Bibi and Viv live together in a big nest up an old oak tree in the woods.

cover_pass.jpg

Kiki is male, while Bibi and Viv are females. Father blackbird, Gio, was accidentally shot dead by a hunter’s rifle, four months ago and mother blackbird, Lola tries to protect her young ones from harm as much as possible. Just the other day, as she was coming back home with food for her family, she had glimpsed a kite, hovering close to her home, up in the oak tree. She was sure it was that same sly and greedy bird, Gio had talked about when he was alive. Gio had mentioned that while he was out hunting for food, a bad Kite had given him a hot chase and he had managed to outsmart him by diving into some low lying bushes.

This night, the old oak tree seems to double in size, with many branches filled with leaves. The blackbirds could hear the cries of few other birds, including that of Dona, the owl, who lives close by. Kiki, Bibi and Viv have just finished a meal of crickets, their mother, Lola had brought home, a few hours ago. They all try to settle in for the night, as the moon provides a faint light. Kiki, Bibi and Viv are proud of their mother, who works so hard to feed and protect them. They assist her