Watch And Wait

• Josie Cross, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2010

I was sitting in class one day and looked outside the window. I saw something I had never realised before. Two birds were laying underneath a bushy tree. "Jasmine are you paying attention?" Ms Flake said. "Uh yeah," I said looking at the smart board. As soon as she looked away I checked the birds again. Class was over and I went down the back near where the birds were. Her stomach was big and the birds never left each other's side. "Hey Jasmine!" My best friend Angela said. "Hey," I said still staring at the birds. "What's up with them?" she asked putting some of her lip stick on. "I think she's pregnant," I said the birds ran away. "You're amused by a pregnant bird, what's wrong with you today?" Angela said. "Nothing come on let's go get lunch," I said as we walked to the hall.

Days past and at each class I watched them and each break I fed them some of my leftovers. On a Monday morning I saw the father with two baby birds. But I couldn't see the mother. At first break I ran out the back and searched until I saw a bird body. It was the mother of the babies. I started to grow tears in my eyes and started to cry. I fell onto my knees and put my head in my hands.

The next couple of days I didn't listen to class or take a step outside except for when I was leaving and arriving at school.

I finally got over it and every night I thought of her having the best moment of her life which ended in death. She was a great pet/friend and I wish I could tell you everything on this piece of paper. But it's not long enough like that bird's life.