Henri was a very well groomed green peach face Parrot, living in a large cage alongside his friend Charlie the yellow canary.
Henri had been bought from a pet shop at Paddy’s market, and was treated very well, being trained by his owners Terry and Emily. He had learnt to come to his name when called and would sit on Terry's shoulder wherever he walked, not being able to fly away because one of his wings had been clipped. He would spend most nights like this just nestling into Terry's ear, while they watched TV. Henri would only go to Emily on the odd occasion when Terry was out for the evening. Yes Terry was also his friend
Charlie was a very nervous canary not wanting to go to anybody who approached his cage, he just preferred to sit on his perch and sing at the top of his voice. But the two years that he had been a member of this household, he had got used to Terry and Emily. He would approach the side of his cage whenever either of them came over to talk to him. But would move away if a finger were pushed though his cage bars. He knew and trusted them but only at a distance. Charlie had also been purchased from Paddy’s market, and was about the same age as Henri. It was a kind household for them, as birds in a cage and in a human world they could not have wished for kinder owners. Terry and Emily were pet loving people, they had always loved animals, and over the years had had an array of pets. They had also been known to take in the odd stray, injured or sick animal. They had bought Henri after the death of their pet Chihuahua dog “Buster”. Buster had lived for almost twelve years, and upon his death they had both been devastated. Vowing never to have another dog, not wanting to get to attached or close to a pet again. But Terry had surprised Emily with Henri as present. Over the next couple of years, due to Terry's constant handling and attention, Henri had just taken to him.
They all lived in a very nice low set house in the Wynnum West area of Brisbane City. The house had a nice Pergola area out the back, with lots of native trees and plants, plenty of greenery and a pleasant atmosphere. The garden was visited daily by scores of wild birds, looking for food that Terry would leave out for them. Henri and Charlie’s cages hung under the Pergola everyday, so they could always watch all the other birds feeding in the garden. But at night they would be taken inside the house, a way from the cold and mosquitoes.
While watching all the local birds feeding in the garden, Henri always wondered where they all came from, and where they all went to at nights. What was on the other side of that very high hedge at the bottom of the garden, and what secrets lay out there behind it?
Terry had decided not to keep clippings Henri's wing, and to let it grow normal. A couple of times, while in the house at night, watching TV on Terry’s shoulder. Henri had made a couple of short flights. Henri felt good and hoped that his wing would not be clipped again.
One morning the cages were put outside, with a change of fresh food and water, as they were every morning. It was a type of ritual and you could set your watch by it. But this morning Terry forgot to shut Henri’s cage. Terry and Emily left for work as usual after locking up to house.
Henri at first just climbed out of his cage and started looking around; he then made his way onto its roof. I guess he was just playing about and feeling a little mischievous and inquisitive. After a time he started to get bored, so he flew down onto the Bar-B-Q table under his cage.
Suddenly Charlie called down to him, “what are you up to now Henri? You’re always up to mischief”. “Oh just looking around,” said Henri. “You want to be careful some of those horrible crows sometimes come around here,” said Charlie. “I'm not scared of those stupid birds, “ said Henri,” I'm just looking around”. With that he flew down onto the tiled area under the Pergola, and started to walk around. I wonder what is beyond that hedge that stands twenty feet high, at the bottom of the garden, what mysteries is it concealing.
A few sparrows flew into the garden and landed beside Henri “Who are you” they asked and “why are you out of your cage”. “Mind your own business” Henri answered. Henri then flew on to Charlie's cage and started to play with the door. “What are you doing Henri?” said Charlie, “we are going to have a look beyond that hedge,” said Henri. “But what if Terry comes home from work” said Charlie. “Oh we’ll only be a few minutes, it's just to have a look Charlie,” said Henri. After a struggle Henri managed to slide the door of Charlie's cage up. It was a good job that it was a little stiff, as it would not have stayed up. Charlie was a little nervous, and wasn't sure whether he should venture out of his cage. But with Henri egging him on he finely hopped out. The two birds flew up to a branch on the tallest tree in the hedge, along the back of the garden.
What greeted them was just amazing, there laid out before them was another world, to be investigated or so Henri thought. But Charlie had seen enough, and now all he wanted to do was just return to the safety of his cage. “Come on let's go back” he said. “Oh come on Charlie let's just go a little further,” Henri pleaded. “No I'm going back,” said Charlie. “Coward” Henri taunted. “We’ll be back before Terry gets home from work”. Reluctantly he agreed “oh well just a little further then” said Charlie nervously. With that Henri took off with Charlie flying very close behind him. They were flying east towards the Wynnum sea front and the open sea. But at this time of day there was no sea breeze. In fact there was a light westerly breeze, and it was blowing them a little faster than Henri had expected. A lot of houses beneath them were whizzing by
They were covering more ground than Henri had expected, and very soon they were disorientated. Not knowing what direction they had come from or what direction they were going, because they had lost sight of their home. Beneath them now lay a large road going the same direction, as the wind was blowing them? The road was a mass of purple blossoms; along both sides of the road were very large Jacaranda trees in full bloom. Unbeknown to them they were heading down the Wynnum Road, in the direction of the town of Wynnum.
Suddenly Henri cried out “look there’s the sea”, poor old Charlie dare not look. He was not only scared at what they had done, but he was also very tired. He had never exercised his wings so much, but he kept following Henri. He trusted Henri and looked up to him, believing that he knew what he was doing. Somehow he was hoping that Henri would lead him back to the safety of his cage.
As they approached the sea Henri landed, he to was very tired. Time to stop and look around, to work out where they were. Poor all Charlie was so tired, and with the tail wind blowing he only just managed to grab hold of the branch that Henri was sitting on.
“WOW! Henri I only just made it, what have we done”, “don't worry Charlie, said Henri. “Let's enjoy it, we will back before Terry and Emily get home from work”. It was time to look around, and have a good look at this New World.
There was a beautiful blue Ocean and in the distance some island's. The waterfront area was very green, with lots of trees and grass. With lots of people walking or sittings and children playing, it looked a very restful place.
After resting in the tree for a few moments, they took off hopping from tree to tree, making their way along the Wynnum foreshore. Finally they landing near a children's play area, with swings, slides and roundabout. Charlie said “I'm hungry, all this flying has taken it out of me”, “so am I” replied Henri. Suddenly a group of sparrows hopping about in the grass, beneath the tree they were sitting in caught Henri’s eye.
“Hey look someone's feeding those sparrows”, with that both birds swoop down to join in. Henri just flew straight into the crowd of sparrows. Who were all pecking at crumbs of bread, being thrown to them by some grown-ups and their children, who were packing up after a picnic, “yummy” thought Henri and tucked in the food? Charlie was a little more timid and landed just behind the main group of sparrows. He had never been this close to them before. He wondered what they might do to him, but slowly he made his way towards the main group, looking for a few crumbs. Not his normal food but he were very hungry and would try anything at this stage. Finally he grabbed a small crust of bread, and ran back out of the group to try and eat it on his own. He hoped that the other birds would not pinch it from him. Henri had muscled in with all the sparrows; he was grabbing as much bread as he could. Not many sparrows would worry him in a tussle, he would give as good as he got. After his fill, he went over to take a crumb to Charlie, knowing that he was very nervous and shy, and that he could not stand up for himself in a fight. Also knowing that some of those sparrows would just grab the food, out of your mouth given half the chance.
“How you doing Charlie” Henri asked, “Oh I managed to grab a couple of pieces” Charlie replied. “Well here is another piece for you” said Henri. Just as Charlie was about to take a peck at the piece of bread Henri had given him, four seagulls pounced on them. In their hurry to grab at the bread they started to lash out with their beaks. They were greedy and nothing was going to get in their way, not even another seagull. Poor Charlie, the seagulls were pecking at him, Henri could see the pain on his face, as he still tried to hang onto the bread that Henri had gave him. “Drop it Charlie and give it to them” said Henri. As hungry as he was, Charlie just had to drop the bread. The pain from the pecking was hurting so much, Charlie ran behind the nearest tree for cover, and Henri followed.
“You all right” Henri asked, “Oh a bit sore, but I'm still hungry,” replied Charlie. “ Come on let's look further a long the Beach, follow me,” shouted Henri, as he took off. A few trees further along Henri spotted a bundle of paper by a waste paper bin. So he landed beside it, pulling the paper about, a couple of potato chips and a small piece of fish batter fell out. Not really our diet he thought but it will do. After a few minutes the two chips had gone. Suddenly Charlie, nervous as ever and always looking around noticed a couple of gulls approaching at great speed. “Lookout here they come again” he cried, “let's get out of here” said Henri. “We have had enough anyway”. Taking off, just before the gulls landed, and started squabbling amongst themselves over the piece of fish batter. “Let them peck each other,” said Charlie.
Both birds were feeling very tired and flew into a tree for a rest. Picking one that was very dense with leaves, so they could hide from those terrible seagulls. They needed to close their eyes, and have a sleep. The Sun was already starting to go down so it would be a good place to stay the night. Suddenly Charlie said “what about Terry and Emily, what are we going to do”. “Well we can't get home tonight, we will have to try and find our way home tomorrow” said Henri. “But what about Terry and Emily, what will they do”. Charlie wouldn't get much sleep tonight he would be worrying too much.