Chapter 6

Hector and Maria began flying high in the sky. As a matter of fact, they were much higher than Robins usually fly, but Hector continued climbing higher than any Robin had ever dared to go before. “Hector,” Maria said, “we’re much higher than we should ever be flying. Why are we so high? It’s hard to breath and the air is really cold up here.”

“Look down,” Hector said.

“At what?” Maria asked.

“At the horizon,” Hector replied. “Look at how the horizon curves. Do you see it?”

“I think so,” Maria asked, “but why am I looking at it?”

“Because the horizon curves,” Hector explained. “You can’t see it from down low but up here you can see the world is round.”

“I don’t know, Hector. It looks round, but I’m getting really cold, can we go back down now, before I freeze to death?”

Maria and Hector flew back down where the air was warmer and easier to breath. By then it was the end of the day so they decided it would be best if Hector followed Maria home to make sure she got home safely. Then Hector flew back to where his family was nesting.

Early the next morning, Hector flew back to the house where Carlos lived in the cage. When he got there Carlos was waiting for him on the window sill. “Good morning, young Hector,” Carlos said. “Where are all your friends?”

“They’re not coming,” Hector said.

“Why not?”

“They think you lied to us yesterday.”

“See,” Carlos said, “your friends will not believe the world is round, see?”

“They say you’re lying to us,” Hector said.

“And do you think I’m lying, young Hector?”

“Oh, no Sir. I think you’re telling the truth. If you fly high enough in the sky you can see the world is round.”

“Is that what you did?” Carlos asked.

“Yes sir,” Hector replied. “Yesterday, Maria and I flew higher than we’ve ever flown before. We got high enough you can see the world is round.”

“See,” Carlos said, “does your friend Maria believe me too?”

“Maria is still confused,” Hector answered.

“See,” Carlos said, “many birds cannot see the truth even when the truth pulls out their tail feathers. You will not be able to convince most birds that the world is round. Only a few of the highest fliers like the Eagles and the Condors and the Hawks believe the world is round.”

“You mean other Parrots don’t believe it either?”

“See, young Hector, most Parrots are not that much different from the Robins. Like the Robins, few Parrots ever fly high enough to see the curvature of the earth. You are among only a few who have ever seen it my young friend. If a bird were to fly around the world then there would be no doubt the world is round.”

“I’ll fly around the world,” Hector chirped. “That way everyone will know you are telling the truth.”

“Hector, no,” Carlos replied. “It is much too far for a Robin to fly. A Gull, a Condor, or an Eagle maybe, but not a Robin, you would never make it back.”

“I can make it,” Hector replied.

“But you might get lost, Hector.”

“Then I’ll study the globe everyday until I can remember it all.”

“But the oceans are very big, thousands of miles, you might starve to death crossing them.”

“Then I’ll learn to eat fish like the Seagulls and the Terns.”

“I donno, Hector, it seems much too risky for one young Robin to go alone.”

“Then go with me,” Hector said. “We can fly around the world together.”

“Oh no,” Carlos said, “I am much too old to make the journey. Besides, I have never flown very far before. I’m afraid I cannot go and I don’t think you should go either.”

“But someone has to go,” Hector said. “Otherwise everyone will think you’re a liar and you’ll never have any friends.”

“Thank you for believing in me young Hector, but it is not necessary that you prove I am right. I have been called a fool by many birds.”

“But you’re not a fool, and I’m going to prove it. I’m going to fly west until I get back here. That will prove to everyone that you are not a fool or a liar.”

“I tell you what,” Carlos said, “why don’t you go home and give it some thought? When you come back to visit me tomorrow you will have changed your mind.”

“I’ll go home, but I won’t change my mind,” Hector said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carlos.”

“Adios, Hector, my friend. I will see you tomorrow.”