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Short Story Library

We all love reading stories, especially those our friends have written! They fire up our imaginations and take us on wonderful journeys!

The children who have contributed items for this website live in Australia and all are educated at home by their parents.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to everyone who has sent stories for our Kids Pages! To find out how to send us your short story read the submission guidelines. As you can see by the stories below, your story can be any length and include illustration!

Read all the other stories!

The Bird That Came Back

by Luke

Right now I am sitting on my bed stroking my bird (Beaky), feeding him sunflower seeds.. But let me tell you the tail of how I almost lost my precious friend.

Now you see, I was on my way out to feed the birds one afternoon, after school, when I heard a strange noise coming from the Aviary. I looked up and noticed that the door to the feed bowls had been left open. I ran up, to the cage but by the time I got there my bird had already flown away. As he flew off I heard a shrill "Tweet, tweet. Tweet, tweet" Which I knew meant "I was so bored in that cage without a mate to accompany me, that I am going to explore the outside world and find one of my own kind!"

I was grief stricken. I began to cry and sob, asking myself over and over, "How could I have ever let her get away?"

Two weeks past, one month past, 3 months past. My friends kept telling me I should get a new bird and give up putting up posters, on telegraph poles, that said "Have you seen this bird. Escaped 3 months and 2 days ago"

I had been having the most beautiful dreams about my bird coming back. I wasn't sure if it was something telling me to buy a new one or if I was just really missing my old friend.

I wished I could banish the thoughts of Beaky from my mind so I would have at least one hour without him popping into my head.

Then one night I began thinking to myself, "what is the point. He is gone!" Finally I had made my decision. If he was not back by the following day I was buying a new bird. That, I was sure of.

I woke up at first light, the decision clear in my mind. I ate breakfast while mum was still asleep. I know my mum doesn't like me using the toaster but I was starving. I made my way out to clean the aviary. I was starting to get excited.

While I was a school mum went out the back to water the plants and as she opened the door this green blur shot through the gap in the opening above her head.

After school mum picked me up. She never does that! ... Apart from when she is feeling really lonely and needs the company.

As we pulled into the drive way she said "I've planted some new flowers would you like to come and see them?"

I went out and saw the flowers. They were really pretty. When we returned to the house to my astonishment I saw a green and gold parrot sitting on the teapot that we never use.

I gasped. I had just realised it was Beaky. I began walking over and he flew casually onto my shoulder.

I cushioned him in my hand and said "Beaky I will never let this happen to you again." Then I placed him back in the aviary and went straight down to the pet store to buy him a mate. Beaky squeaked with delight.

The End

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Welcome to the world of home education - learning without school! We officially began educating our three children in 1985, when our eldest was five years. In truth, we had helped them learn what they need to learn as they grew and explored and discovered this amazing world since the moment they were each born! I am a passionate advocate of allowing children to learn unhindered by unnecessary stress and competition, meeting developmental needs in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences. Ours was a homeschooling, unschooling and natural learning family! There are hundreds of articles on this site to help you build confidence as a home educating family. I hope that your home educating adventure is as satisfying as ours was!
Beverley Paine

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