Somewhere in a wonderful little town, where the sun shines brightly and the seas and rivers gleam with turquoise-blue crystalline water, live beautiful birds.
They are so beautiful that the mere sight of 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, whilst some birds cheerfully wish everyone good morning with their lovely singing.
An especially important task is to save 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 mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters would begin teaching the newborn everything they knew themselves.
The most important task was to teach 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 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 a Lilliputian.
Look how funny and clumsy he is!
His brothers and sisters joked kindly about the little chick.
The wind sways him about, how will he ever fly high in the sky?
Stop teasing your little brother!
Their mother scolded the grown chicks.
He will definitely learn to fly, he just needs to grow a bit stronger.
Several 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, rushing from one meadow to another and darting above the crystalline rivers and lakes, admiring their beautiful plumage in the reflection.
One 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 whilst 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 lovely time here.
The chicks replied to their parents.
Mum and dad flapped their wings and swiftly took flight over the chasm that could be seen far below from the mountain top. Within seconds, they disappeared into the clouds.
The chicks got on with their usual activities. Together with Lily, they began playing tag, constantly teasing the little one.
Evening came, and mum and dad hadn't returned. The sun had almost disappeared behind the cliff, and the chicks gazed hopefully into the clouds, from which their returning parents usually appeared. But mum and dad were nowhere to be seen.
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, when suddenly his brother called out to him.
Lily, our mum and dad haven't come 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 can't carry him home alone. But we'll struggle without you too. We're small, so even your strength will be needed to lift dad and bring him back.
But how? I can't fly at all!
Lily said in fright.
No, no, the wind down there is so strong, it will carry me far away and smash me against the rocks.
You have to help us. There's no need to be afraid. You're a bird! And you must fly! Trust me, you'll definitely manage it.
His brother and sister tried to persuade Lily.
Lily trembled so much that it seemed he couldn't even raise his wings. Never mind flying! He ran to his secret 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. There were enormous rocks and a bottomless sea. 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, please listen to me. 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.
Really? But you're the bravest!
Lily said with genuine surprise.
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 above the chasm.
Now flap your wings, Lily! Don't be afraid, look at how beautiful it is around us! It's a miracle!
His brother shouted.
Lily opened his eyes and couldn't believe what was happening. Below, clouds were drifting past, and he, the small and clumsy chick, was proudly flying above them, flapping his wings.
I did it! I'm flying! Hooray!!!
Lily couldn't contain his joy.
After several hours, they saw 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 faith and his desire to save his parents helped him. He was strong, he managed to overcome his fear! He was a bird!
