THE NIGHTINGALE’S FIRST SONG: a lesson in patience, courage, and finding your voice

When night falls

The Scops Owl wakes.

He fluffs his grey feathers,

Blinks his big golden eyes three times

And starts the slow, steady beat

Known to forest creatures as “the heartbeat”.

When night falls,

The Scops Owl wonders,

Steadfast in his rhythm,

Watching the puddle of light

On the famous branch overhanging the lake,

Hoping the new star of the forest

Will find the courage

To share his voice.

When night falls

And the heartbeat begins,

The young nightingale

Shivers in the darkness,

Watching the puddle of light

On the famous branch overhanging the lake

Where young birds sing their first song,

And thinks,

“Maybe tomorrow.”

One day, when night falls,

And the heartbeat begins,

The nightingale takes a tiny breath

And tiptoes towards the puddle of light

On the famous branch overhanging the lake.

He fluffs his downy feathers,

Closes his eyes,

Opens his beak and sings

A song so clear, so bright

It whirls through the forest,

Rising high in the air

Where it swings from star to star.

And the Scope Owl

Blinks three times and smiles,

Because he knew

The song was always there,

Just waiting to be heard.

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