Copyright 1999 -- Robert Baer Jr.

PROLOGUE

Ever imagine what the world would be like if it had all "gone to the
birds?"   IT HAS!  In BirdWorld!  This is the continuing saga of Robin
Mallory, dedicated wife, loving mother and radio personality.  How does
she cope with all the pressures of modern living?  We'll ask "Chipper"
Birdwell, Robin's father how she is doing!

BirdWorld -- "Easter Sunday"

We arrive at the base of Chipper's tree, and are amazed at how well it is
decoracted!   Pretty blue and pink ribbons wrapped around the bottom of
the tree and colorful items hanging from some of the branches!   "Hello
down there!" Chipper yelled down to us,"would you please help me take
these ribbons down?  It's after Easter, and now it's time to un-decorate! 
 Yep, I love the Easter season!   Of course, we birds do some things a
little different than you humans do.  Please, don't mention 'painting
eggs' to a bird!   Also,  rabbits are scary creatures when they happan to
be LARGER than you are!   Well, we DO attend church here in BirdWorld  
Easter Sunday we had a great service!  

It was high noon and church was just letting out!   Our pastor, the Rev.
Amos Oriole, had delivered the Easter sermon and was outside the front
door shaking wings with all the parishioners.   Meadowlark Gremmon came
with his wife Gywnn, and told the pastor that his sermon was a real 'home
run'.   Then Babs Finchly and Wild Bill Bluejay walked over to the pastor.
  "This was my first time here, but I must say you have a very fine
church!" Wild Bill chirped happily.

"You're quite welcome," Rev. Oriole said,"and I must say that you're
wearing a very er.... interesting looking tie!"

"Great, ain't it!" Wild Bill said with a smile,"and it glows in the dark,
too!   Here, let me plug it into the wall over there...."

"Darling, we have to be going,"  Babs whispered and gave him a gentle
nudge.

"You do have an excellent singing voice, Wild Bill," the reverend said
gently,"however, it would really help the service if in the future that
you sang the same song the rest of the congregation is singing, OK?"

"But there's so many songs in that hymnal of yours, I love them all!   I'd
like to sing them all!"

"Well, eventually we will, Bill, but not all in one Sunday service."

"Oh, OK!   Would you like to hold one of the worms I have in my pocket?"

"Er..... no thank you, Wild Bill, you keep it."

"Honey,"  Babs said affectionately,"we need to meet mom and dad at the
restraunt, bye Reverend Oriole!"

"Goodbye Mr Reverend, sir," Wild Bill said as he shook wings with
him,"I'll be here next Sunday!"

"Have a great Easter!" Reverend Oriole exclaimed.

We emerged from the church a little later.   Nancy and Zoe were having so
much fun discussing today's lesson with the Sunday School teacher that I
had to almost drag those two out the door!    While all this was going on,
James was up to his old tricks, tapping Chuck on the back and
"disappearing" so he didn't know who tapped him.   About the third time
that happaned, Robin caught him in the act, and told him to sit on the
front pew until we were ready to leave.   Joe and Robin had talked Edward
R Sparrow into attending today, so all three of them were mingling with
the crowd, talking and making Edward feel welcome!    

"I must admit this has been a wonderful experience for me," Edward said
without emotion.

"What did you think of Reverend Oriole's sermon?"  Robin asked.

"He is an excellent speaker, and the story of the Resurrection was quite
compelling," Edward answered.

"I saw that you were moved to tears, Edward," Joe said.

"Well, I must confess that the pastor's description of how the Son of God
came into this world, and gave his life so that all could receive
salvation, was indeed very moving," Edward said in a sad voice,"he must've
really loved us a great deal to be willing to sacrifice himself like that."

"Now c'mon, Edward," I interrupted,"don't tell me that this is the first
time you've ever heard of the life of Jesus."

"Well," Edward explained,"I knew of his life, had read a few books about
him.   I suppose it never truly dawned on me how truly noble and wonderful
Jesus was until I heard the preacher's sermon.   Perhaps I can talk with
Reverend Oriole at length about Christ."

"That's a great idea, Edward!" Robin said with a smile,"we have to be
going now, but I think the pastor would enjoy helping you understand more
about the Savior."

I rounded up all the children, had to chase down James, that kid can't sit
still for two minutes sometimes!    Edward R Sparrow stayed and talked at
length with the Reverend.   I'm so glad Robin and Joe invited him to come!
  

I guess you can say that the Easter season is a time of "discovery," like
in the Bible when it talks about that morning when they all had discovered
that Jesus was not in the tomb, that he had arisen!   I hope your Easter
is as memorable and fulfilling as ours was!   Hey, just because we're
birds doesn't mean we're not God creatures too, y'know!   Why should all
you humans have ALL the fun, huh?   Well, now I have to be flying off now,
going to do some shopping in town, bye for now, and do come again!

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