Somewhere in a wonderful little town, where the sun shines brightly, and the seas and rivers sparkle with turquoise-blue crystal-clear water, live beautiful birds.
They are so beautiful that just seeing them fills all the other residents of this wonderful town with incredible inspiration and lifts their spirits.
These birds not only delight everyone living in the town, but also perform a huge number of important tasks. Some of them deliver important messages to other towns, and some little birds cheerfully wish everyone a good morning with their lovely singing.
An especially important task is saving plants from harmful insects and various diseases. For this, the birds use their sharp beaks, tirelessly destroying parasites.
All the birds in this town lived in large, happy, close-knit families. When chicks were born, their mums, dads, brothers and sisters would begin teaching the newborn everything they knew themselves.
The most important task was teaching the little chick to fly. After all, all birds have wings, which means they absolutely must soar high, high in the endless sky.
Bird families lived on a high mountain. Each family had their own little home there, and everyone was happy and close.
And so, in one of the families of wonderful birds, a chick was born. He was so tiny that his brothers and sisters sometimes teased him. The newborn chick was named Lily. Perhaps it was a hint at being lilliputian.
Look how funny and clumsy he is!
His brothers and sisters teased the little chick good-naturedly.
The wind pushes him around, how will he ever fly high in the sky?
Stop teasing your little brother!
Their mum scolded the older chicks.
He will definitely learn to fly, he just needs to get a bit stronger.
A few days passed. Lily's mum and dad constantly flew away from home to find food. After all, they needed to feed the newborn chick. The older chicks could already fly on their own, but their parents weren't letting them go foraging yet.
So the chicks spent whole days playing, fluttering from tree to tree, racing from one clearing to another and hovering over crystal-clear rivers and lakes, admiring their beautiful plumage reflected in the water.
One such day, mum and dad set off again to search for food.
We're flying away, and you're staying home alone. Please don't get into any mischief while we're gone. And don't forget about Lily, he's still just a baby.
Their parents gave the chicks instructions.
Don't worry, mum and dad, we'll have a great time here.
The chicks replied to their parents.
Mum and dad flapped their wings and swiftly took off over the chasm that was visible far below from the mountain top. In a few seconds, they disappeared into the clouds.
The chicks went about their usual activities. Together with Lily, they started playing tag, constantly teasing the little one.
Evening came, and mum and dad hadn't returned. The sun was already nearly hidden behind the cliff, and the chicks gazed hopefully into the clouds, from which their returning parents usually appeared. But mum and dad didn't come.
Night fell, and the chicks fell asleep, huddled together. With the first rays of sun, Lily opened his eyes and saw that neither his brother nor his sister were beside him.
He jumped up and was about to rush off to search for them, but suddenly his brother called out to him.
Lily, our mum and dad never came back. One of our bird friends told us that they got caught in a storm and dad's wing is injured. Without our help, they won't manage. Mum alone won't be able to carry him home. But we'll need your help too. We're small, so even your strength will be needed to lift dad and bring him back.
But how? I don't know how to fly at all!
Lily said fearfully.
No, no, the wind down there is so strong, it will blow me far away and smash me against the rocks.
You have to help us. Don't be afraid. You're a bird! And you must fly! Trust me, you'll definitely manage it.
His brother and sister tried to convince Lily.
Lily trembled so much that it seemed he couldn't even lift his wings. Never mind flying! He ran to his secret hiding place, wrapped himself in the soft grass that his parents had gathered, and closed his eyes.
Lily imagined himself taking a step into the chasm and falling down. Huge rocks and a bottomless sea came into view. The little chick fell, crashed against the rocks, and his lifeless body was carried away by the waves.
All these frightening thoughts were interrupted by his brother's voice.
Lily, listen to me, please. When I was first born, I was just like you—small, clumsy and a scaredy-cat. I'm big, brave and daring now. But not so long ago, I was afraid not just to fly, but even to look down the mountain.
Is that really true? You're the bravest!
Lily said sincerely surprised.
Yes, I'm telling you the truth. And I know one thing—you have to overcome your fear and take the first step. We're birds, we have wings, which means we must fly. You'll definitely manage it, you'll see. Our mum and dad are waiting for us, they need help, and only all of us together can help them.
His brother spoke with confidence.
For a moment, Lily closed his eyes and imagined that he would never see his parents again.
I'll try! I have to! I'm a bird and I have wings, which means I'll definitely manage it!
Together with his brother, they rushed towards the cliff edge of the mountain, where their little sister was waiting.
Well then, are you ready?
His brother cried out.
Ready!
Lily whispered and pressed his wing tightly against his brother's wing.
Together, holding onto each other's wings, they took a step forward and found themselves over the chasm.
Now flap your wings, Lily! Don't be afraid, look how beautiful it is around us! It's a miracle!
His brother shouted.
Lily opened his eyes and couldn't believe what was happening. Clouds drifted below him, and he, the small and clumsy little chick, was proudly flying over them, flapping his wings.
I did it! I'm flying! Hooray!!!
Lily was overjoyed.
A few hours later, they spotted mum and dad below, lying on the branches of a tree. Descending to their parents, the chicks picked them up and flew high, high into the sky.
The family was reunited, and Lily was no longer afraid to fly. He believed in himself, he wanted to learn. And his brother's belief and his desire to save his parents helped him. He was strong, he managed to overcome his fear! He's a bird!
