Ennis trudged the dirt road, up to the farm house. He was nine years old, and he and KE and Cindy had to walk
the half mile to the bus stop. He didn't really mind it, it gave him time to think on things, before the start of
chores after gettin home. He was in the third grade now. Just starting in last month in Mrs. Fanfers class. He liked
her ok. She was nice, and she seemed to like him well enough.. He was a shy and quiet boy, so he didn't cause no
trouble. Cindy and KE kept saying "Ennis hurry up. Pick up your feet. Stop kicking up dirt." He saw a clump of grass
by the side of the hedge row. Then he noticed a baby bird layin there. Just making a peepin sound..He wanderer over and there was no nest anywhere. He looked around to see if he saw a mother bird anywhere.. ? Nothing there either.
KE said "Ennis git on up here, we gotta git home. What ya looking at over there?" Ennis grabbed the baby bird and
said, "Nothin." He hurried up to catch up with his siblings, with the bird hidden in his mostly closed hand..
When he got to the house, his pa was there in the pickup truck, telling him and KE, to" get in we gotta go somewhers." Ennis said "I gotta go pee." His father said, "better make it quick, and get out here."
He ran to the bedroom, grabbed his shoebox from under his bed and put the small bird inside. He rushed outside
with his secret treasure on his mind. Big smile on his face. He jumped in the truck, and KE slammed the door shut. His
dad said "what ya grinnin about? " "Oh nothing special." He replied. "Where we goin?" "I got something i need to
show ya." He said, and they just looked at him, questioningly. He offered no explanation and turned as he backed the truck out of the yard and headed for the road.