Chapter 21

In the forests there were Raccoons, Bears, Elk, Wolves, and Rabbits. All would stare in amazement at the strange flock of mixed birds who appeared to be migrating out of season. The skies were filled with more kinds of birds than Hector and his friends even knew existed. There were also, Deer, Caribou, Wild Horses, and Mountain Goats who were equally amazed. Everywhere they went they shocked all who would see them, and with each passing day Hector’s flock would continue to grow. Before they reached Alaska they would number over one hundred and fifty.

Somewhere in the northwest of British Columbia, near a small village where the red men lived, they found many tall poles with the heads, faces, and sometimes bodies of all sorts of animals and birds carved into them. They all stared in amazement at these strange and brightly colored poles while them red men in the village stared at them. One young red man came running up with a bow and arrow as if he were going to shoot arrows at Hector and the others, but an older man stopped him before he could draw back the bow. Then the red men all knelt down upon their knees. It was something none of the birds in Hector’s flock had ever seen before.

Hector and the others wondered what the strange poles were for, and a local crow told them that the red men called the poles ‘totems’, and that the red men were told to carve these poles by little voices that came from inside of them. That was the first time that Hector or any of the others ever realized that other creatures might hear the voice of the Creator just as birds could. Hector figured that if the Creator told these men to carve these ‘totems’ then it must be that the totems are somehow sacred and good.

Later that evening as Hector’s flock settled down in the trees to rest, Hector decided to rest in the tallest tree he could find while he watched over the flock. They all took turns in standing guard, and while there were others guarding as well, Hector thought it best if he took his turn just like everyone else. In a few minutes he was joined by Desiree when she lighted on the branch beside of him. “It’s not your turn to stand watch,” Hector said.

“I know,” Desiree said.

“Then why aren’t you asleep?” Hector asked.

“I can’t sleep,” Desiree said.

“Why not? Is something wrong?”

“Yes, something’s wrong.”

“Well what is it?” Hector asked.

“I have to sleep alone,” Desiree cooed. “Can I sleep here with you?”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because I promised Maria I wouldn’t be pecking on any other birds,” Hector replied.

“But Maria’s not here,” Desiree cooed. “What would she know?”
“I would know,” Hector said.

“So?” Desiree questioned.

“So it would be wrong,” Hector answered.

“It is?” Desiree asked.

“Seek only that which is yours to know,” Hector chirped. “No knowledge, possession, or fate is for all to know. Do not waste your time seeking that which is not yours to know. In time, all you seek will be yours if it was yours to begin with. If it was never yours then it will never be yours.”

“Hey, Dude,” Randy crowed, “that was a good one, Dude. Did you hear that? Did anyone else hear it? Hector chirped again! His little voice talked again! I just love it when Hector’s little voice talks.”

“We’d love it if you’d shut-up and let us sleep!” Larry squawked as Randy continued to fly around the forest telling all the birds in the flock about Hector’s latest chirp from the little voice inside of him.”

“Oh, I’m so embarrassed,” Desiree cried. “Where did Randy come from? I thought we were alone.”

“I don’t know,” Hector answered but Desiree probably didn’t hear him as she flew away to be alone. Hector never wanted to hurt her feelings and he decided that he would talk with Randy about his conduct early the next morning.