UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
James McCreet considers the beginning of a book for children
James McCreet
When Reggie Fell Out of the Nest
THE BEGINNING
I wake to a bright sun.1 My body is wet.2 Feels sore.3 I lift my head. Ouch, it hurts.4 Where’s that sweet smell coming from?5 Perhaps those pink roses. My tongue is dry.6 Need a drink but where am I?7 Soft moss covers the ground.8 I stretch my neck and see a giant oak tree.9 At the top, tiny flecks are buzzing around.10 They are coming near.
I strain to focus. Yes it’s my parents.11 “Mum.” I cr y. 12 Why can’t she hear me?13
I try to think. Yes, I remember.14 As usual, Mum and Dad were arguing.15 There was lots of pushing and I got in the way. Bang, fell out.16 Tried to fly but am too little.17 Must have dropped to the floor and got knocked out.18 Oh, what’s that noise.19 Go away, you noisy magpies.20 Stop trying to peck me.21 Must get to those bushes and rest.22
The sun had gone down when I woke again.23 I hear a strange language.24 I poke my beak through the leaves and spy two huge shapes. Funny, they don’t have any feathers.25 I see a pond.26 Must get a drink. Quietly, I creep towards the water and sip. That’s better. I look up and see Dad skirting the air.27 He lands on a branch. I want to shout Dad but no words come out.28
Out of the corner of my eye, I see one of the shapes walking towards the pond.29 I sliver back to the bush.30 My trembling makes the leaves crackle.31 The large shape kneels down and calls to the smaller one. The ground booms.32 Must keep still. Through half-closed eyes I see them peering at me. The large shape picks me up with its sort of claw.33 I wriggle and screech but can’t get loose. It puts me in this box and closes the lid.34