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Probably all out at sea chasing fishing boats. But there are definitely smaller songbirds somewhere closer to hand.
Closer than she had realised! One inquisitive little bird perches on the caprail just ahead of her, turning its head to look at her. It’s not a sparrow. With its vivid colours it’s clearly a goldfinch.
Red and black plumage on its face, bold black wings with flashes of bright yellow and a variety of white and tawny feathers across its breast and back. It’s cocked its head to one side.
Slender thinks to herself, “oh, how I wish I could be free like you.”
« You are free? No? »
Stunned, Slender stares, and quickly adjusts her expression so as not to alarm the bird. She beams with an honest, beautiful, bright smile, and her eyes open wide. Opening as far as they can. She’s never communicated with a bird before. She didn’t know that she could. Perhaps she’s never been close enough.
The signal is a bit gruff though. This bird is now clearly an old man, and one who’s not afraid to be near humans.
Slender definitely wants to explore a dialogue, no matter how old and gruff this male goldfinch is.
« Freedom! I wish I could fly to freedom! »
« I’ve never seen a human flying! »
« You’re lucky, you have wings. And gorgeous feathers. »
« That’s your problem! You have the wrong type of feathers! »
« You’re somewhat abrupt aren’t you? We’ve only just met! »
« Merlin! »
« Jenifer. »
« I’m Merlin, I’m entitled to be abrupt! Anyway, your feathers are no good. »
« We call them clothes! »
« We call them feathers! Yours are no good. You’re going to have to find another route to freedom. »
« I’m stuck here. There is no other route. »
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