Barnaby was a very small bird with very bright blue feathers. He lived in a cozy nest high up in an old oak tree with his mama and papa bird. All his brothers and sisters had already learned to fly, zooming and swooping through the sky. But Barnaby? Barnaby was scared.
Every time he looked over the edge of the nest, his little wings would tremble. “What if I fall?” he’d chirp worriedly. Mama Bird would gently nudge him with her wing. “You won’t fall, Barnaby. You have strong wings, and you are a brave little bird.” But Barnaby didn’t *feel* brave.
Papa Bird tried a different approach. He’d fly around Barnaby, showing off loops and dives. “Look how fun it is, Barnaby! The wind will lift you up!” But Barnaby just huddled deeper into the nest. He wanted to fly, he really did, but the thought of leaving the safety of the nest was too scary.
One sunny morning, a bright red ladybug landed right on Barnaby’s beak! Barnaby giggled. The ladybug tickled! He wiggled his head, and… whoops! He lost his balance and tumbled forward… right out of the nest!
Barnaby squeezed his eyes shut, expecting a bumpy fall. But instead… he felt a gentle lift. He opened his eyes and flapped his wings! They worked! He wasn’t falling! He was… flying! It wasn’t perfect. He wobbled a bit, and his flight was a little shaky, but he was flying!
Mama and Papa Bird cheered from the oak tree. Barnaby’s brothers and sisters zoomed around him, showing him how to catch the wind. He practiced and practiced, flapping his wings stronger and stronger. He learned to swoop and glide, just like his family.
Barnaby realized that being brave wasn’t about not being scared. It was about trying even *when* you were scared. And trusting that you could do it. He flew higher and higher, feeling the warm sun on his feathers and the wind beneath his wings. He was a brave little bird, after all.
As the sun began to set, Barnaby flew back to the nest, tired but happy. He snuggled close to his mama and papa, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of all the adventures he would have in the big, beautiful sky.