Lynette Chambers ~ The Cardinal’s Cry, Part 2

Shaking herself out of her sad reverie, the mother Cardinal reminded herself that it did no earthly good to dwell on things beyond her control. God in His infinite wisdom knew when it was each one’s time to die. In His mercy He would guide their spirit home to glory. And after all, who wouldn’t want to live there.

Watching her two young ones on the ground below, she saw the brother spot the young, pure black cat creeping along the backside of the house. Ahhhhh, that kitty thought she was so worldly wise and smart, and to be sure, she had caught a lizard just the other day, and a field mouse or two, but to catch a bird, now that took extra skill.

As her boy shouted the alarm, all the birds took instant flight. The angry cat sat swishing her tail for some time to come, letting them all know her displeasure. But after a while, she became bored with the waiting game and ambled proudly back to her perch on the front porch.

Mr. Cardinal gave the all’s clear signal and soon the feeders and the ground below them were covered with any number of birds. Mrs. Cardinal continued to watch the world from her high perch for a few moments longer. Then, deciding it was time to teach her young ones a few things, she called to them. Both of the younger birds immediately took flight, landing only scant inches from their mother on the next limb.

“What do you need, Mother dear?” her daughter quipped. “Did you find a juicy worm in spite of this cold?”

“No, my Darling. I wanted to have you close to me as I show you the beauty of the snowflakes. This being your first winter, I also want to explain to you the dangers associated with the frozen flakes. You see, there is care that must be taken. Once the snow is thick on the ground, you will find it difficult to maneuver for the seeds. And even though the cat will have some little trouble getting around in it, she will not be nearly as troubled as will we. Our toes and ankles can become frozen, and if not careful, one can even be caught in the icy snow and become unable to lift our feet to fly.”

“But she is my friend, Mother!” the young male blurted out. “We have talked quite frequently as she sits in the morning sun cleaning her fur.”

“Son!” the startled mother replied, “That cat is never your friend! She would as soon eat you for dinner as to not! You must promise me that you will stay clear of her! Especially her paws. Her claws are deceptive, but they are long and sharp when released from the velvet of her tips. Did you not see what she did with Mr. Barley Chipmunk just yesterday? Why, she nearly tore him to shreds. It was only by the very grace of our God that he escaped with no great injury!”

Shaking with fear and concern for her young ones, the mother bird prattled on for several more moments.

Finally, taking a deep breath, she concluded, “Just take to heart what I am telling you, children. No fraternizing with the cat, smooth talking as she may be. You steer clear of her and keep your wits about you!”

“Now, let’s go on home and settle in for the night. The sun will soon be setting and I will rest easier knowing that you are both safe and in my care.”

Grumbling just a bit, the two younger birds bid farewell to their friends and followed their mother to the rosebush. Arriving at the nest, they saw that their father had made his way on home before them. He was fussing with the flakes that had already settled in the hollow of their nest. Quick as a wink, the mother bird swished the nest with a few quick strokes of her wing. The snow was gone in a flash. Settling in, she welcomed her family with open wings.

The little cardinal family sat contentedly, with stomachs full of the wonderful black sunflower seed from the feeder, watching the sun sink slowly in the west. The tall pine trees looked like black ink drawings against a canvas of pearly pink, blues and reds. It was good to be home.

Mrs. Cardinal waited until her two young ones had drifted off to sleep before speaking to her husband. Once she was assured that they were well in dreamland, she broached the subject of another set of hatchlings.

“It would be good, don’t you think to have more than just the one set next spring? I find that I have too much time on my hands now, and I worry unduly over these two. I know that they will find their way, and that Angelina will be married when the warm breezes of spring return, and that Charles will likely find himself a lovely young bride, too.”

“Next winter, I want to have an entire clan to worry about!”

Her patient husband murmured that he would be delighted to help her establish an entire clan, “Now my dear, can we just go to sleep? I am weary.  Keeping watch on these two young ones takes it out of me.”

The snow continued to fall, coating the entire world in a blanket of white. After a while, once the earth was nice and covered, the snow slowly drifted to a close. The moon rose, as old as the world, looking down on the little farm on top of the mountain. He smiled as he saw the nest with the four cardinals cuddled in, kept warm by the soft layer of powdery snow. A family always warmed his lonely heart. Knowing that he would never have the pleasure of a wife and children, it did him good to see those who enjoyed such comforts.

Seeing a movement in the shadows just under the tallest pine tree, old man moon watched as a black figure slithered from one dark spot to the next. Slowly, but surely, the coyote slunk toward the low hanging nest. Making not a sound, he was nearly upon the helpless family of four, and still they were unaware.

Trying to determine what he could do to alert his little friends, the moon shuddered just slightly. It was more than he could bear to think that the coyote would win this night. Suddenly, he realized that he could direct just a few bright rays directly onto the nest, possibly waking one or all of the bird family. Certainly, he could not just wait silently, watching the horror that was almost certain to take place.

Choosing his timing carefully, old man moon turned a direct shaft of light toward the nest, bursting it out just as the cloud between him and the earth shifted a little. Sure enough, the moonbeam struck Mr. Cardinal right in his face. Disgruntled, the bird shifted a little, trying to get out of the bright light. Nothing doing, old man moon held the shaft of light steady, urging the head of the household to awaken.

Mentally trying to send thoughts to the bird along the moonbeam, the old moon quite nearly became agitated, and then he saw the father bird awakening. Almost as if he could read the thoughts being sent his way, Mr. Cardinal sat up and blinked twice. Looking around, he turned his head, then paused as he caught sight of the night visitor.

With a loud shout, he leapt off the nest, urging his wife and children to fly quickly away. As they all flitted to the tall pine tree, the coyote sat on his haunches and gave a frustrated yowl. He had so nearly filled his hungry belly that night with the tasty morsel of tender fowl.

Glaring at the moon, it was as if he knew who had warned the bird family. Lifting his long nose, he stared long and hard at the old man in the moon, before rising to his feet and slinking off into the deep woods again.

Once sure that the danger had passed, the birds flitted back to their nest, settling in carefully, they were grateful for whatever had awakened them. Morning would come before any of them were quite ready for it.

 To be continued. . .