Dreamtime Stories For Children: Ch 16, Bob White

Come join me for a chapter of this cheerful adventure with the feisty Bob White bird and his family of Mrs. Bob and all the little Bobs and their escapades living in the Green Meadow. In this chapter, Farmer Brown's Boy talks things over with his Dad to try and figure out a way to protect the wee family of Bob White birdies during hunting season, which is coming up just around the corner.

Besides this wonderful family of birdies, in this storyline you also come across Reddy and Granny Fox, from another chapter book I am also reading here on Insight Timer, with Dreamtime Stories with Jacqui. How much fun all these forest creatures have! I hope you enjoy their encounters in the Green Meadow as much as I do. Sooo snuggle down into your blankets and get ready for another chapter to lull you into dreamtime. It is a soothing way to get sleepy, for both big and little folks!

Get your blankets just right, fluff up your pillow, and come along with me into the Great Green Meadow.

Transcript

Good evening and welcome to Dreamtime Stories with Jackie. I'm so glad you're here tonight as we read another exciting chapter in the adventures of Bob White. In chapter 15, Which we read last time, Farmer Brown suggested having one of the Bob White family members on toast. Then this made Farmer Brown's boy very angry. Oh my. So this evening we're going to read chapter 16. But before we do, Take a big stretch and then snuggle down deep into your covers. Get them just the way you like them. And we'll begin. Chapter 16. Farmer Brown's boy talks things over. There's nothing to compare with in earth or sea or up above. If love prevailed everywhere, There would be no terrible wars, No prisons, No poverty, No quarrels between those who work and those for whom they work. And on the green meadows and in the great forests, There would be no fear of man and no frightful suffering from traps and terrible guns. Love, That wonderful great thing which is contained in one little word of four letters, Could and would bring joy and happiness to every heart for all time if we only would give it a chance. It was love in the heart of Farmer Brown's boy which made him indignant when his father, Farmer Brown, Hinted that he might like to take his gun and shoot Bob White and his family. You see, Farmer Brown's boy had made friends with the Bob Whites and he learned to love them and no one could bear the thought of hurting those they love. He had replied to his father respectfully but his face had flushed red and in his voice there had been the ring of indignation, Which is a certain kind of anger. Farmer Brown actually chuckled when he heard it and then he turned and held out his big hand. Shake hands, Son, He said. I was just trying to test you out to see what you would say. You know you used to be very fond of going hunting and shooting and now I know that your sense of right and justice is stronger than the love of doing that. So you think the Bob Whites have earned our protection? I am ever so glad. Farmer Brown's boy flushed again but this time it was flushed with pleasure. Oh dad, I'm so glad you don't want to kill them and eat them, He cried. I ought to have known that you were just testing me. I did like to hunt with my gun once upon a time but that was when I didn't know as much as I do know now. It was exciting to try to find the birds and see if I could hit them. I just thought of them as wild things good to eat and so smart that I had to be a little bit smarter to get them. I never thought of them as really having any feelings but now I know that they love and they fear and suffer pain and they work and play. They're glad and sad just like we are. I know because I have watched them. I don't want to hurt them and I don't want to allow them to be hurt any more than I would real people. Why, I love them. I wouldn't have anything happen to them for the world. I'm dreadfully afraid something will happen to some of them when hunting season begins. Can't we do anything to help protect them? Well, Said his father, We can put up some signs warning all hunters to keep off our farm and forbidding all shooting, Replied Farmer Brown, And then if Bob White and his family are smart enough to stay on our land, I guess they will be safe. But if they go on the land of other people, Well, They will be fair game to the hunters, He paused. Unless, Unless I can get other people who own the land around us to put up signs and keep the hunters off and promise not to shoot them, Exclaimed Farmer Brown's boy eagerly. Farmer Brown smiled, Exactly my son, He said. It is your chance to get even, To do something for the little friends who have done so much for you. Tomorrow is Saturday, And there will be no school. You may have all day in which to see what you can do with the neighbors to save Bob White and his family from the hunters. Listen, Bob would be a blessing if for nothing but his message of good cheer in his whistle. But to the cheer he puts into the world is the daily help he gives. The man who kills a Bob White kills one of our best friends and helpers, And his shot hurts us more than it does that poor little Bob. Now let's go over to the barn and see about making some signs. That's wonderful that Farmer Brown and his boy are going to help the Bob White family. So snuggle down in your blankets and get ready for dream time. I am sending you so many hugs. This is Jackie. Come back again soon. Good night now.