A Child Nature Story of BirdsLIGHTNESS LACKPART ONE: Posted 11/21/07 Running Deer and Moon Bird were hiking up to Thunder Mountain on a crisp and clear fall day. It was one of their favorite hikes and they were both excited to be out on such a beautiful day. When they left their cabin, the walking was easy and they moved ahead quickly. They were eager to be on the mountain. Soon the trail became steep and rocky. Leaves fell all around them as a late morning breeze came up. Running Deer noticed that Moon Bird was falling behind. His step was unsure, his shoulders were bent over and his head was down. “What was wrong?” she wondered. “Was Moon Bird injured or sick?”
Looking to the northeast, Running Deer could see a large lake. The water looked dark and deep. The wind pushed up waves on the surface. Moments later, the same wind blew in Running Deer’s face. She felt a strong connection to this place. 
When Moon Bird arrived he sat down next to Running Deer. He did not seem to see any of this. His was looking down on the ground. Running Deer was worried about him. “Moon Bird,” she said. “What is the problem? Are you sick? Do you have a cold?” “No,” he answered. “Do you have a headache?” “No.” “Do you have the flue?” “No.” “Do you have a stomach ache?” “No.” “Moon Bird, what do you have?” “I have a Lightness Lack,” he answered. “Oh, of course,” replied Running Deer. “That explains everything.” PART TWO: Posted 12/3/07 Moon Bird looked up. “It does?” He asked. “Well, not really. Can you explain it to me?” Moon Bird paused. Look up in the sky, RD. Tell me what you see.” Running Deer raised her head and saw a beautiful sight. Two hawks were soaring high above. Their white and brown feathers clashed against the clear blue sky. One hawk would fly above the other and then dive down. With talons extended it would touch the lower bird. Then they would soar some more and very soon repeat this curious behavior. 
As the hawks drifted further and further away, Running Deer watched until they were out of sight. “Moon Bird, aren’t they beautiful? But how did you know they were there? You never looked up!” “Oh, I don’t know, RD. Somehow I just knew they were there. I could feel them. But that’s my problem, don’t you see?” “No. Please explain.” “Running Deer, I want to do that! I want to fly like a bird. I want to soar in the sky like those hawks! But I can’t. I’m too heavy!” “I see,” said Running Deer. “That is what you call a Lightness Lack. But Moon Bird, you are the “moon bird”. You can fly when you are the moon bird, can’t you? “Yes, but that is a story, RD. This is real life and I can’t get off the ground. I’m so frustrated. I don’t know what to do!” “Moon Bird, I’m thinking about something. Birds fly and humans don’t. Why is that?” “That’s easy, RD. Birds are built for flight. To start with, they are very light. The smaller ones weigh only ounces. And their bones are hollow which makes them even lighter. Then, of course their body is shaped just right to cut through the wind. And their wings are shaped just right to give them the lift that they need.” “OK, Moon Bird. Next question. Why can’t humans fly?” “That’s easy, too RD. We are too heavy and don’t have the right shape. That reminds me of an old saying. Lets see, how does it go…oh, I remember. ‘Fat birds don’t fly’.” “That’s a funny saying, Moon Bird, but I never heard it before. How old is it?” “Well, not too old actually. I just made it up. The point is, birds never over eat. If they did, they would be too heavy to fly. So they could not eat as much as we do and we could not eat as little as they do. “Moon Bird, I think you have touched on the answer to your problem.” “I did? How so?” “It is simple. Birds are birds. People are people. Birds are special in their own way, and people are special in their own way. What I am trying to say is that all species are different. One is not better than another, just different. You are perfect just the way you are. People don’t fly and birds don’t do people things.” “Moon Bird thought this over. Hmm…… birds don’t take these great hikes in the woods, and they don’t talk, and they don’t think the way we do, and they don’t ride bicycles, and they don’t eat chocolate chip cookies, and on and on.” “You’ve got it now, Moon Bird.” “You know, RD, it feels good to think about it that way. I am perfect just the way I am. I don’t have to try to be something or somebody else. Sometimes I don’t remember that.” “I know, Moon Bird, but I will always be here to remind you.” “Thanks RD, lets finish our hike.”
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When Running Deer reached a huge rock outcropping, she sat down and waited for Moon Bird. Above her was a beautiful blue sky. Below she could see the tops of the trees with all their fall colors. Most of the leaves were yellow. They gave way to a quilt of reds and oranges and browns. The pines formed green patches that seemed to hold it all together.