Chapter 3: Flying Breakfast

We tell a cozy morning story where Benjamin races toward biscuits and gravy.

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Transcript

Breakfast Smells And Morning Chores

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CHAPTER three Fly Breakfast Benjamin, the boy who lived on an island on a lake below a mountain, woke up to the sound of a busy kitchen. He could hear the clang of pans, the scraping of cooking utensils, and the sweet humming of his mother. Benjamin sprang out of bed. His mother's cooking was always good, but this morning was extra special. Benjamin smelt bacon, and that meant there might be biscuits and gravy. Sure enough, as Benjamin entered the kitchen, he saw a pan of biscuits and a kettle of gravy simmering beside the fire. Good morning, baby boy, his mother said, somewhat musically. Benjamin ran, hugged his mother, and reached for a biscuit. Hey there, not yet. You have chores to do before breakfast, young man. Oh of course he had chores to do. Benjamin always seemed to forget about those in the morning. He laughed. Okay, mom, but once I'm finished, can I have biscuits and gravy? She said yes, and Benjamin ran out of the room. He did manage to grab a handful of bacon on the way out of the door. He had one piece for himself, and when he met them outside he gave Mr Cat and Red Fox the rest. Thank you, as always, Red Fox said, as he ate the bacon and trotted back towards the woods. Mr Cat said, Where are we going to play today? Good morning, Mr. Cat. We will have to play later. I need to do my chores so that I can eat biscuits and gravy. Mr Cat licked his paws clean. I think I might take a nap. I shall find you when I wake up.

A Shadow Over The Lake

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Benjamin grabbed a wooden bucket and walked to the lake. The sun was already bright and warm. Mr Frog sat on a stone next to the lake, and mister Frog croaked out a hello before hopping into the water. Benjamin filled the bucket with water and started back towards the house when a shadow passed before Benjamin on the ground. He looked up to see a giant bird. The bird swooped down to the lake, skimming the surface, and caught a fish right out of the water. Benjamin was amazed. Almost without thinking he yelled out, Hey there, mister Bird, would you come say hello? At first Benjamin thought the bird did not hear him, but the great bird made a big loop in the air, and with a flap of its wings zoomed towards Benjamin. Benjamin dropped the bucket of water and fell to the ground, but the great bird landed gracefully next to him.

Meeting Miss Eagle Up Close

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It is Miss Bird to you, and if you must know I'm not just a bird, but I am an eagle. So you can call me Miss Eagle. Benjamin got up and brushed the dirt and sand from his hands. The Great Eagle stood as tall as Benjamin and had beautiful golden feathers. Hello, Miss Eagle. Benjamin struggled to say the word eagle, a new word. You caught a fish right out of the water. Sometimes it takes my father all day to catch a fish. That's to be expected. Your father doesn't have wings, Miss Eagle replied, proudly. My name is Benjamin, and it's very nice to meet you, Benjamin said as his stomach growled, and he remembered he still had chores to do. However, for the moment he was too curious to walk away from this great eagle. An idea flashed through his mind. Miss Eagle, do you think you could carry me around in the sky? He asked with a large smile growing on his face. Miss Eagle gave a hm and said, Well, we just met, but she paused as she used her keen eyes to look over Benjamin. She cocked her head to one side and then the other, but then she snapped her head back up. She looked to have made up her mind. You are a small thing, and I suppose it will do me no great harm. Come on, I will show you around this lake. Benjamin's face lit up in a brilliant smile. Wow, thank you, Miss Eagle. Miss Eagle laughed. She was clearly pleased with how happy she had made Benjamin. Okay, are you ready? she asked, but before Benjamin could even answer, the eagle leapt up, flapped her wings, and with a firm yet gentle clasp of her talons, picked up

Flying Over Home And Friends

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Benjamin. They took off and went into a low circle at first. The wind howled in Benjamin's ears, and the ground zoomed underneath them faster than Benjamin had ever experienced. It felt like there were butterflies in his stomach. They went over the fruit trees and the bushes, the shed, the garden, and the dock with the boat. Benjamin saw Mr. Cat and Miss Hound playing near the chickens. White smoke rose from the kitchen chimney, and they flew right through it, leaving it swirling behind them. Suddenly Benjamin saw Mr and Mrs. Owl, but not in their tree. They were right next to Benjamin in the air. They had not noticed Benjamin and Miss Eagle yet. Hello and good morning, Mr and Mrs. Owl, Benjamin yelled. Mr and Mrs. Owl's feathers ruffled in surprise and they nearly fell out of the air. Benjamin and Miss Eagle laughed. Who there, young Benjamin, your mother will not be pleased if she finds you out and about like this, misses Owl said worryingly. Miss Eagle replied, He is just as safe here as anywhere else walking on the island. With that said, Miss Eagle flapped her great wings again and they soared higher and higher. Now Benjamin could see the entire island. It was a beautiful green teardrop in the sparkling blue of the lake. His house was at one end. A rocky hill protruded from a forest in the middle, and yellow sand bordered the entire island. Benjamin could see the wind sending ripples across the surface of the lake, dancing this way and that way. Benjamin saw schools of fish swimming in the water, darting here and there, and other small birds flying

The Far Shore And The Wide World

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from tree to tree. Then his eyes, perhaps for the first time in his life, gazed at the far shore. Miss Eagle, what's over there? he asked, and pointed to the far shore. That's the wide world. It's hazardous, but I suppose you must go there one day. Your parents will have to take you. Dangerous, Benjamin thought. I wonder what that is. His stomach growled, and that reminded him of all that he had to do that morning before he could eat. Miss Eagle, thank you so much for letting me fly. It is wonderful, but I'm afraid I have chores to do, he said, once again getting excited about biscuits and gravy. My mother's making my favorite meal. Miss Eagle brought them down to the shore without a word, and as gracefully as falling snow, she landed. Well, Benjamin, that was unexpectedly fun. If you ever see me around, don't be afraid to call my name. Goodbye. With a jump and a flap she was off. Benjamin watched as she soared higher and higher and further and further until he could not see her anymore.

Finishing Chores And Earning Breakfast

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He picked up his bucket and filled it with water. He brought the bucket to the porch for his father's bring inside. He fed the chickens and raked away their old hay as they scampered around his feet. When he finished he said goodbye, chickens, time for my breakfast. He ran up the porch, almost tripping on the top step, and excitedly pushed open the door. As soon as he entered the kitchen, his father immediately picked him up and carried him to the table laden with biscuits, bacon, and gravy. It was, in fact, a very excellent breakfast, and no crumb was left when they had finished. What a wonderful morning, he thought. I wonder what the rest of the day will be like. Thanks for listening.