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Author Insight
Insist on equality and respect.
In Ireland and France, Little Wren is portrayed as a male king during the male-dominated social norms in literature from the sixth to eighteenth centuries. The appearance of wren does not indicate sex or gender. The female lays the eggs; both build and sit on the eggs, and both feed the chicks, much as humans who perform the same tasks of tending, feeding, and protecting the young. Birds and humans need to live without the harassment of domination. Acceptable social standards and rules need support to maintain who we are to stop the greedy bullies who want power and wealth. Further, we insist on equality and respect for males and females, regarding skin color, country born, jobs worked, health, and wealth.
Book Excerpt
Damsels Overcome
“Squawk!” Eagle swooped into the tree. “I have the sharpest talons. I demand respect. I will be Ruler of Birds.”
Crow glared at Eagle, “Won’t do! You need rules!”
Mother Owl said, “Eagle, what is important here is what makes us the same? Who knows?”
“We all sing,” said Canary.
“We lay eggs,” said Prairie Hen.
Little Wren flew next to Mother Owl. “Yes, Little Wren?”
“We have wings, and we fly.”
All the birds squabbled and quarreled.
“I’m the fastest.”
“I have the longest wings.”
“I fly the farthest.”
“I have the biggest wings.”
“I can fly the highest.”
“I’m best at soaring.”
“I can stop in the air.”
The big birds quarreled and squabbled and flew at each other, most rudely! The smaller birds tweeted, “We were not heard.”
Crow insisted, “We need a contest.”
The large birds cheered. The small birds protested that they were too small.
“Quiet! Order!” screeched Owl.
The chatter stopped.
Little Wren said, “Mother Owl, a flying contest. Whoever flies the highest and the longest will be ruler.”
“Yes, Little Wren, a flying contest.”
Crow directed, “Those wanting to be ruler, perch up along the lower branches.”
Big and small birds crowded on the lower branches of the tree-of-life. To the ground, sank the limbs.
“QUIET!”
“NOW ready.”
“Get set.”
“FLY.”
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