The Old Alligator and the Young Bird
by
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Nothing still alive had stood by Rashi’s head for some time. Only when he was young had anything ever found it a worthy place to stand. Acting kind of smug, the bird picked a bug from Rashi’s neck. A little pick, a little bump, and then, perhaps smiling a bit, it hopped away up the side of the escarpment. The following day, plentiful food and a yen for an early morning nap had Rashi curled up on his sandbar. Down came the Bird family. Rashi kept his eyes closed, determined not to scare the ‘whatever was going to happen’ away. As the departing footfalls of the birds stopped, Rashi peeked out with one eye. The brightly colored bird was not by him on the end of the sandbar. Rashi watched and waited, barely breathing. What had happened? Where was this bird who had risked becoming his meal gone? Finally he napped. When Rashi awoke he was still alone. As he moved to the water, though, he saw small bird tracks where his head had been while he slept. Another day perhaps two, without watching the birds leave cost him seeing the brightly colored young bird depart. Curiosity grew too great…this day Rashi lay with his eyes wide open. Past him to the water went all the birds. Away went the bird parents and all the bird children, but one. One not only did not leave, it walked next to Rashi’s head so full of teeth, and sat down beside him. Then it happened…
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About the Book
Rashi the alligator loves to sleep on a sandbar next to the river. Here, he can listen to the sounds of the jungle, soak up the sun, and be on the lookout for tasty treats. One day, a beautiful, brightly-colored bird lands next to him. The bird is strangely unafraid becoming Rashi’s next meal,; as the days go by, the bird continues to visit and even naps on Rashi’s head! The old alligator begins to wonder what it would be like to fly, but when he tries to take flight, things don’t work so well! As the weeks go by, other animals also have adventures on the sandbar. There’s a big tiger, a mother hippo, Whoo the owl, and even a lion cub! Yet all the animals learn to live with each other despite their differences. Filled with whimsical illustrations, The Old Alligator and the Young Bird explores the wonderful world of the jungle and the animals that live there.
About the Author
George M. Sweet lives in Northern California. He received his BA and teaching credentials from San Jose State College and his master’s degree from California State University in Chico. Sweet recently received Phi Theta Kappa membership. He also proudly spent two years in the US Army.