Mole and the Baby Bird
By Marjorie Newman
Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Translated into Hebrew by Irit Arav
Mole found a baby bird and lovingly cared for it. He built it a cage, played with it, and fed it, until it grew stronger. When the time came to set it free, it was difficult for Mole to let the baby bird fly off, but eventually he realized it was the right thing to do, and was delighted to see it go free.
When we love someone, we want to be close to them, but sometimes we have to let go, part with them, and allow them to be free and independent.
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the skies (Ecclesiastes, 3:1)
The book of Ecclesiastes says: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the skies … a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing".
Mole and the Baby Bird is the last book to be given away this year by PJ Library. The schoolyear is nearing its end, to be followed by a new one, which perhaps involves moving on to a new grade. Our "baby birds" are also growing. It is sometimes difficult for us too to let them go and allow them to fly off.
"A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing" (Ecclesiastes, 3:5)
- Perhaps you would enjoy looking at the illustrations together and finding examples of the help Mole had given to the baby bird. When did Mole's care meet the baby bird's needs, and when did it not? What changed with the baby bird, requiring a subsequent change in care, and why was it so difficult for Mole to let it go?
- Young children develop their sense of independence but still need our protection as parents. As it says in the Book of Ecclesiastes, at certain times and situations it is appropriate to be nearby and "embrace", and at others, free trial and error is best. It may be interesting to ask your child which areas they felt they had become stronger and experienced growth in over the last 12 months, and whether there are any new things they would like to do on their own, and have us, as parents, allow them to do.
- This story describes a parting process. How do you say goodbye in the morning? Do you have a "hug & goodbye" ritual? You may enjoy some role-play – you can be the kindergarten child, and your child can say goodbye to you and "go to work". After some activity in your "kindergarten", and when your child's "workday" is over, you can meet again… and hug!
"Greetings upon your return, lovely bird" (H.N. Bialik)
- Birds "speak" using whistles and tweets. You may enjoy stepping outside and listening to the birds. You could try mimicking different tweets, and "speaking" the language of the birds.
- The baby bird in the story stands in its cage and says nothing. If we were able to understand bird language, what would it have told us?
- You could also care for birds! To do so, make a bird-feeder. Take a large, empty bottle, and wash it well. Cut a large opening into one end of it. Hang it in the balcony or on a tree near your home, and place pieces of fruit, seeds, and breadcrumbs in it. Watch from afar as birds come and eat from it.
Enjoy reading and discussing the story together!