Chapter 32

On the other side of the continent problems were beginning to pile up on Randy. It wasn’t that he was doing anything wrong, it was just that there were so many things to take care of, and unlike Hector, Randy never had the option of starting with only a few followers. There were squabbles and disputes among followers, disciples who were trying to win his favor, and the ever constant threat of predators. Then Sidney and Jeff had to add to his problems. “Randy,” Sidney said, “Jeff and I need to talk to you.”

“What about?” Randy asked.

“Nesting,” Jeff replied.

“What,” Randy asked, “you don’t know about nesting, Dude.”

“We know about nesting,” Sidney said.

“Then why are you asking me?” Randy questioned.

“We’re not asking you anything,” Jeff said. “We’re telling you.”

“I don’t need to know anything about nesting,” Randy said. “I’m a crow, I love ‘em and leave ‘em.”

“No,” Sidney said, “Jeff and I are going to be nesting soon.”

“Now why would you want to do that?” Randy asked, “Unless you’re... Hey, wait, are you saying...”

“That’s right,” Sidney chirped, “I’m going to be laying soon.”

“Oh, Dude,” Randy squawked, “oh Hector, why did you leave me in charge? What am I going to do now?”

“We know what to do,” Jeff said.

“Oh I bet you do,” Randy crowed. “I bet you know exactly what to do. I just want to know why you had to do it now? Couldn’t it have waited?”

“Randy, I’m sorry,” Sidney chirped. “We didn’t mean for it to happen. It just happened, that’s all. Now we have to start nesting.”

“I know, I know,” Randy said. “I’m sorry, it’s just that so much is happening at once. I wasn’t prepared to be in charge and I’m a little anxious. Pay me no never mind.”

“It’s okay,” Jeff said. “Sidney and I are just going to fly back north to the meeting place and wait for the rest of you there. By the time you and Hector get there, the chicks will be big enough to fly along with the rest of the flock.”

“Dude, are you sure?” Randy asked.

“Oh, very sure,” Sidney said. “Us sparrows mature really quickly. My mother once raised three flocks in one season.”

“Wow,” Randy exclaimed, “she was a busy bird.”

“So I guess this means we’ll be going,” Jeff said. “We don’t want to waste any time.”

“Not so fast, Dude,” Randy said. “I can’t let you do that. I’m going to send Geronimo and some others back with you.”

“But why?” Sidney asked.

“Our chicks are our future,” Randy said. “Give them all they need to become strong. Watch over them as they grow. Teach them what it means to be a bird, a whole bird, ready to fly into the world the Creator has given them. Feed them truth just as you feed them worms and seeds, for they represent eternal life in the eyes of the Creator.”

Sidney and Jeff stared in disbelief. It was as if Hector himself had been talking. From the look on Randy’s face, he was surprised as well. “Randy,” Sidney asked, “was that your...”

“I think it was,” Randy said. “I think that was my little voice talking just like Hector talks. Wow, maybe I’m a prophet too.”

“Wow, Dude,” Jeff said. “I don’t know if I should be happy or scared.”

Hector was busy with problems his own. Not only was his flock continuing to grow, but the conditions in Western Australia are tough on birds. The summer months are dry and there’s little fresh water available to birds who aren’t used to living in deserts or dry arid plains such as is common there. Oh sure, they spent most of their time near the ocean, but the Indian Ocean, like any other ocean, is much too salty for most birds to drink from.

The biggest problem Hector was facing was predators. There were all sorts of snakes, birds, and mammals-- even marsupials-- who enjoyed the taste of birds, and a flock as big and as unfamiliar with the territory as his, offered a lot of chances for hungry predators to take a few along. There even appeared to be a few predators who seemed to be following the flock and the members of the flock were quite concerned for their lives. “Hector, what are we going to do?” Dorothy said upon returning from a scouting trip. “There’s all kinds of dangerous animals out there.”

“Yeah,” Desiree said, “and some of the flock hasn’t had a drink of fresh water in two days.”

“Another bird died just this morning,” Larry said. “They’re getting really scared. What do we tell them?”

“Know that no matter what your fate, you will someday light on a branch at the side of the Creator,” Hector said, “for the Creator will take back all that he has created so that all that is a part of the creator shall remain together. Know that from that day forth, you will sleep in the nest of the Creator while he warms your hearts evermore.”