Floating someplace between dreams and reality, MorningStar serenely listened to the chirping of the songbirds. Various tones mixed elegantly together to create a lovely morning soundtrack. While her eyes remained shut, MorningStar’s heart remained wide open as she thanked her creator for another morning. And she swore she heard her God speak directly to her through the bright sunlight and the pleasant noises carried on the wind. These relaxing moments were crucial for her mind and body, because MorningStar felt the hustle of everyday life ground down on her spirit. Her sensitivity to the world’s sounds and motions seemed to be elevated where MorningStar could, with eyes closed, pinpoint each bird located in the sanctuary.

Realizing the time to wakeup had arrived, MorningStar opened her eyes, stretched out her wings and shook her body fluffing up her black and white feathers. Gazing out at her home, she eyed the other occupants perched on several makeshift branches within the wire-pen enclosure. The Black-Backed Woodpecker, Gary, was dragging his beak back and forth on the side of the branch sharpening it; Lucy, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird kept jumping up to higher and higher branches before fluttering back down; and Frank, the Northern Pygmy-Owl, sat observing everyone from the top branch. Several of the smaller bird species bounced around the silver plate as they each took turns scooping up beaks full of seeds. The tinier ones included a Pine Siskin, a couple Song Sparrows, and a litter of Barn Swallows. Overall, MorningStar could characterize the occupants of the sanctuary as a warm and supportive community.

And MorningStar enjoyed the community, but she was ready for love. Taking flight, she flew at breakneck speed towards the food dish and barrelled over a few Barn Swallows – Jessie and Clarence before landing on the silver tray.

Their brothers, Pam and Diesel remained as MorningStar scooped up a mouthful of seeds and chattered excitedly. “Hey guys, how is the morning? Are there any new birds? Did the humans mention any new birds?”

The bigger of the blue-backed orange-chest bird with a perturbed expression answered her dryly. “Good morning MorningStar. Graceful entrance as usual. No, I have no idea.”

Immediately with reading his expression, MorningStar knew she mucked up her landing. “Sorry Diesel, you seem mad. I am sorry. I am really sorry.”

The male swallow bounced upwards in response to his brother Clarence returning and landing beside him. “Clarence! You scared me.” Turning back to MorningStar. “It’s fine – just try to be more careful next time…”

“I am so sorry. But summer is almost here, and I don’t want to miss out on my chance to find a mate.” She hurriedly stated with a beak full of seed spitting across the plate.

“….fine, you are not listening to me as usual.” Diesel muttered. “I’m out of here.” And he flew upwards to the branches up at the top of the cage.

Clarence hopped over closer to the much larger Magpie. “MorningStar, you are spitting food again.”

“Oops. Sorry, I don’t mean to.” She sputtered as more seed flew out.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Clarence flew away as his sister Pam plopped her landing. “Girl, you need to relax. Take a deep breath and calm yourself down. It will happen for you when it comes to finding a mate. I have heard from that really nice human boy…” Pam froze. “Oh, what is his name?” And throughout the large wire-pen voices chirped out.

“Jeffrey.”

“Lou!”

The female Barn Swallow replied. “No, the one with the copper red hair.”

“Karl!”

“Crickets, I dropped my mealworm again!”

“Chris!”

“That’s it! Chris.” Pam directed her attention back to MorningStar. “Chris, he is such a nice young man. Always whistling for us. Just love him. Yes, Chris says that there a million of you Magpies out beyond the Sanctuary. There should be no problem for you finding a mate.”

From above them, a deep voice bellowed out. “You just need to take your time. Come here MorningStar.” The black and white feathered bird winced as she heard the deep tone of Frank calling her to him. The Pygmy-Owl was the first to be held at the sanctuary, and he was the wisest. When a terrified MorningStar first arrived at the Gull Lake Sanctuary, it had been Frank who took her under his wing and raise her. Although, she kept forgetting some of his lessons from time to time. She had a special bond with Frank as they were both cared for by the owner of the sanctuary, Doctor Donald Samuel. The doctor, a kind older man, had found MorningStar when her nest had fallen from its tree and landed on the ground. She could remember the bright sunlight behind Doctor Samuel as he scooped MorningStar up in his hands. He brought her to the sanctuary, nurtured her back to health and gave her a warm loving home alongside the other orphaned rescues.

“MorningStar, come on up here.” The deep voiced owl repeated himself.

Gazing downwards as she feared being in trouble again, Morningstar reluctantly flapped her wings up to the top branches landing close to Frank. She muttered apologetically. “I am so sorry Frank. I just keep forgetting, and I turn into impatient, pushy Princess. I can be so stupid sometimes.”

The brown feathered bird with large yellow-white eyes gazed at MorningStar. “Beloved, what have I kept telling you.”

“When the time is right, God will bring my soulmate into my life.” She responded.

“Yes, that is right. You can’t force it. You must have faith in God and trust in his timing. His timing is always perfect.” Frank stated. “Now, if you rush the experience, you can become stuck just like Gary.” Both him and MorningStar gazed over at the Black-Backed Woodpecker obsessively exclaiming. “I need to find something shiny for the nest. I need to find something shiny for the nest. I need to find something shiny for the nest.” And the long beaked bird continued repeating the statement.

The large eyed owl twisted his head to gaze at MorningStar. “You have to be incredibly careful, because if you obsess about finding a mate then it turns into building a nest. And you should never build a nest until you have found your mate. If you build the nest before you meet the mate, you begin to set unrealistic standards and unrealistic demands on your partner. Building a nest should be something you do together as a team. Do you understand?”

Gazing down apologetically, Morningstar replied. “I do understand.” She hopped around Frank to his other side. “I just don’t feel complete until I can build a family with someone.”

“MorningStar, do not rush it. You are young, and you still have a lot to learn about life. When you choose a mate and build a nest, you want to ensure it is done correctly to have a healthy, happy home life. Can I tell you the story of when I met the two Mourning Doves?”

Echoes of yes please, sure and Diesel still complaining about dropping his mealworm rang through the wire-pen as MorningStar eagerly anticipated Frank’s description of the Mourning Doves.