My tip for today is: if you’ve tried for a long time to do
something to no avail, ask a child.
As you know, I acquired my parakeet Charlie over a year and
a half ago. Since that time, I’ve tried to finger train him, but all he would
do is shake and tremble and avoid my finger like the plague. I’ve been patient,
I’ve checked out the internet on how to train a parakeet, I’ve talked, cooed,
and cajoled him. All to no avail. Those two ounces of feathers outwitted me at
every turn.
Three weeks ago, my eleven-year-old great grandson, Aiden, came
over and headed straight for Charlie’s cage. I warned him to be careful and
that he could stick his finger in the cage all he wanted, but there was no way
Charlie would get on it. I continued to talk to his grandparents, Cyndi and
Bill, about Stewart getting out of rehab the next day and making sure my home
was ready for a wheelchair and other paraphernalia.
As we talked, Aiden came waltzing into the kitchen with
Charlie on his finger. To say I was astonished is putting it mildly. We
transferred Charlie from finger to finger—Cyndi’s, Bill’s, and mine, and
Charlie acted as though he’d done this for years! In an hour’s time, Aiden had finger
trained Charlie, something I couldn’t do in eighteen months. I can now get Charlie
on my finger and bring him out of the cage just like a real pet. Thank you,
Aiden! Never underestimate the power, patience, and persistence of a child!
Since this is after all a writing blog, let me add that I
was at a craft fair Saturday offering Saving
Lou for sale. Much to my delight, I sold all but two of the books I’d brought.
FYI: I’ll be at the Cleveland High School Craft Fair on
December 1, selling Willard
Manor. If you’re in the area, please stop by.
Quote of the Day: Children
are not only innocent and curious but also optimistic and joyful and
essentially happy. They are, in short, everything adults wish they could be.
Carolyn Haywood
