Copyright 1999 -- Robert Baer Jr.

PROLOGUE

Ever wonder what would've happened if all the world had "gone to the
birds."  IT HAS!!!  In BirdWorld!   This is the continuing saga of Robin
Mallory, wife, mother, and radio station manager.   How does she handle
the day to day pressures of everyday life?  Let's ask "Chipper" Birdwell,
Robin's father, to find out!

BirdWorld -- "SURPRISE!!!"

We arrive at Chipper's tree, and begin to search for the old bird.   We
look in all directions, but he's nowhere to be found.   He's not on his
front perch, or at the bottom of the tree.   Then suddenly, out of the sky
he flies down towards us yelling "SURPRISE!!!"   He flies upward and then
lands on his front perch, laughing hysterically.   "I'm sorry!" Chipper
chuckles, "but I just LOVE surprises, don't you?   Didn't mean to frighten
you, I thought I'd try to do something different today, you know, to
'spice things up' a bit, right?    Take what happaned at the radio station
a few days ago.   Robin and her friends at work decided to do something a
little bit different, but wait, I'm getting ahead of myself here.   

It all started late that afternoon.  Robin had just finished her program,
and Edward R Sparrow had just left the office for home.   As Robin was
waiting in the lobby for her husband to meet her, she noticed Babs Finchly
was sorting through some old files.  "When someone invents the paperless
office," Babs said in frustration,"I sure wish that they'd let me know how
to get one!"  

"Now, Babs,"  Robin said with a smile,"no matter how much we computerize
here, there's always going to be paperwork to do, what have you got there?"

"I'm refiling the personnel records," Babs told Robin,"but I noticed
something about Edward R Sparrow's file."

"What's that?" Robin asked.

"Well, according to this," Babs said with a smile,"tommorrow is his
birthday!"

"That's right!" Robin yelled,"and every year......"

"And every year, he gives us that famous speech about 'I don't want to
celebrate my birthday, getting older is not a cause for jubilation!' he'd
always say,"  Babs interrupted.

"But he DIDN'T say that this year, did he?"  Robin chirped.

"No, he didn't!"  Babs answered.

"Let's throw him a surprise party tommorrow!" Robin suggested.

"A surprise party?   For Edward R Sparrow?" Babs giggled,"now that would
be a surprise!"

"Let's do it!"  Robin said and turned toward the hallway,"HEY EVERYBODY, I
WANT TO TALK TO YOU!"

Running down the hallway came Meadowlark Gremmon, Wild Bill Bluejay,
Howard Yates and even Mr Biszop himself!  Carla Delmar soon emerged from
the control room and wheeled her chair toward the crowded lobby.  

"Robin, what's wrong?" Meadowlark asked anixously.

"Is everything alright?" Howard asked.

"Where's that box of donuts I hid out here last month?"  Will Bill asked.

"YUCK!" Carla shouted,"I threw them out last week, they were all moldy!"

"HEY!"  Wild Bill shouted,"I LOVE moldy things!   Fungus tastes so good
with that morning cup of coffee...."

"Enough talk about green baked goods!" Mr Biszop interrupted,"Robin, why
did you call us all out here?"

"I want to throw Edward a surprise birthday party tommorrow morning!"
Robin explained.

"WOW Robin!   Count me in!"  Meadowlark said with a leap.

"Now wait a minute," Howard advised,"doesn't he ALWAYS tell us not to fuss
over his birthday?"

"That's what will make it a real surprise!"  Wild Bill said,"can I bring a
bucket of worms to the party?"

"Thanks for the offer, Wild Bill, but I think I'll ask my husband to cater
the party," Robin said politiely.

All of the staff began planning the party, Joe arrived and he agreed to
provide a wonderful birthday cake and lots of party food.  Since Thrush
was "on the air" during the meeting, Wild Bill kept him informed with his
famous handwritten 'signs.'  

The next morning, the entire staff and Joe came in early, quickly
decorated the lobby, shut off the lights, and hid!   Carla and Joe were in
the booth during the morning show, but the rest of the office was DARK!  
Wild Bill kept making cricket chirping noises until Howard and Mr Biszop
made him stop!   At precisely 6AM, Edward R Sparrow opened the lobby door.

"Hmmmmm, we must be having a power outage," he mumbled as he reached for
the light switch.  That's when everyone jumped up and yelled
"SURPRISE!!!!!!"   

"What is the meaning of this?" asked a very startled Edward R Sparrow.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDWARD!"  everyone shouted.

"Now, I have told you and told you not to ......."

"HEY EDDIE!" Wild Bill yelled as he ran across the lobby toward him,"he's
your pointy looking party hat to wear, birthday boy!"

"Do not call me Eddie and I will NOT wear that strange looking hat!"

"Oh sure you will!" Wild Bill replied as he quickly tied it to his head.

"I look ridiclious!"  Edward said coldly,"remove this object from my head
at once, you simpleton!"

"Simpleton?" Wild Bill asked,"does he play basketball for the Falcons?"

At that moment, Joe emerged from the hallway holding the large lit
birthday cake and set it on Bab's desk.   "Make a wish and blow out all
those candles before the smoke alarm goes off!'  Wild Bill giggled.

"You silly bluejay!" Edward grumbled,"why are all of you doing this to me?"

Robin walked up to Edward and said softly,"because we all love you and
care about you, Edward!"

That did it!   The usually emotionless Edward R Sparrow did something that
no one in that office had EVER seen him do before, he began to weep for
joy!

"Hey, are you crying, Edward?" Meadowlark asked.

"Well, there's something in my eye," Edward answered as he reached for a
kleenex.

"There's something in your eyes alright,"  Howard said,"they're called
'tears'"

"Edward, it's ok to get emotional," Robin said,"everybody has emotions, my
friend!"

"But not ME!"  Edward said,"until now, that is!   Thank you all so much
for caring!"

"GROUP HUG TIME" Wild Bill shouted as he hugged Edward very tightly.

"You know," Edward told Wild Bill,"maybe you're not so weird after all!"

"WOW!"  Wild Bill said,"that's the nicest thing you've ever told me, I may
start crying myself!"

It was a GREAT surprise party!   Carla even talked Edward into making a
'guest' appearance on the morning show to congradulate him on the air!  
Callers on the show even kept saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Edward.    No one,
not even Thrush Limbird, had ever seen Edward smile before, let alone
actually enjoy himself!   It appears that the party was a true "surprise"
in more ways than one, wasn't it?   True friendship will do that every
time!   Well, if you'll please excuse me, I'm off to Robin and Joe's for
dinner!   Telling stories sure works up an appetite!   See you later!

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