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Elijah the Wooden Crane

     There is a house really high on a grassy hill. There are lots of trees and endless 

mounds of soft green grass. Pretty colors pop up all over the grass like colors of red, 

yellow, blue, purple and many other shades of green. It can be an exciting place to visit 

but not for one lonely crane named Elijah. You see the house is very big and empty. The 

paint on the outside of the house began to fade as the seasons changed.   From summer to 

autumn then to winter and then into spring the house became gray and old looking.

     Elijah was a beautiful bird once upon a time. Just like the house Elijah became faded 

and not so beautiful to look at. With each day Elijah had prayed to be beautiful once again.  

He wanted to be able to fly and allow people to smile as they look high into the sky and 

point to him. The sound of children’s voices filled with him so much pleasure as they spoke 

with excited voices.

     ‘Look mama. That bird is so pretty. I like that big pretty bird. Can we touch him? Come 

here bird!’ the children would beckon in wee little voices.  

     Elijah wanted to let the children touch his soft feathers but perhaps another time he 

thought. Unfortunately Elijah was gray and he had lost all his beauty. He had lost hope of 

becoming beautiful ever again. 

     You see magic can turn bad things into good things like sadness into happiness and 

ugliness into beauty. Elijah had heard about magic but he had a difficult time believing in 

it. All his prayers and desire to be happy and beautiful once again did not seem to be 

making his dreams come true.   

     One warm and sunny day in early summer, the hint of magic was about to happen.  

Elijah stood near the old house. He lifted his sad eyes looking straight up to the mulberry 

bush. There on a small branch sat a wee bird dressed in a bright coat of soft red feathers.  

Its beak was open a bit and out came words of gentleness.   Every word made his heart 

flutter with excitement.

     ‘Hello Mr. Bird. Why are you so sad?   Can I help you feel better?’ the tiny bird asked in 

a gentle voice.  

     Elijah was quite surprised and I guess you could say he was really shocked to hear 

such a lovely sound coming from such a small bird.

     ‘I have been unhappy a very long time. Look at me. I am gray and old looking. I would 

love to be beautiful again but nothing is happening.’ Elijah replied sadly.

     ‘What is your name Mr. Bird?’ the bird asked with curiosity.

     ‘My name is Elijah.   I use to be full of beauty just like you. The seasons have changed 

me a great deal. I am a crane but you can see I am nothing more than just a wooden crane.’ 

Elijah’s voice was truly heart-breaking.

   ‘Elijah, I am a cardinal. I have these bright red feathers that you can see. They make me 

stand out as I sit high up in the tall trees. I can make a very distinct sound that many 

people like to listen to. Would you like me to share a bit of my magic with you today, 

Elijah?’

     Elijah’s eyes opened wide with anticipation. He was excited to see what magic he 

would receive.

     ‘Oh yes cardinal. Please show me some of your wonderful magic.’

       ‘Elijah, firstly I would like to say to you that my name is Cara. I want to give to you 

some feathers to don your gray body.’ Cara spoke with so much delight.

     Elijah could sense a tingling feeling on his body. It was so gentle and soft that a 

smile began to show on his face. 

     Elijah looked to his wings and began to admire how beautiful the new red feathers 

looked. Just as he turned back around Cara began to fly away high up into the trees.  

      ‘Thank you Cara very much. I will never forget your lovely gift of red.’ Cara could 

hear his reply and remained sitting on a branch feeling very special indeed. Elijah 

continued to admire the colorful feathers in his wings. He smiled and smiled until his beak 

hurt.

    A few days passed and one early morning another bird flew down to the large stone 

nearby.

    ‘Hello Elijah. A little birdie has told me you believe in magic. I am here to offer you a 

little magic of my own. I am a blue jay and my lovely blue feathers were given to me when I 

was born. I make a truly high pitching sound that can be heard far away. People like the 

color of my feathers. I would like to now present to you some of my feathers to don your 

gray body.’

    Elijah’s eyes began to fill up with tears of joy. He was feeling so much happier now.

     ‘Why thank you Mr. Blue jay. I am very thankful for your gift of blue feathers.’ Elijah 

began to sniff back his tears.

     Elijah, firstly my name is Bobbi and I am delighted to offer you my feathers of 

blue.’ The blue jay replied. 

      Elijah could feel the tingling feeling once again. He looked at his wings and the blue 

feathers were unbelievable as they were placed in his wings.The blue colored feathers 

were remarkable. He felt so pleased. As Elijah looked back around he could see Bobbi fly 

away high into the trees.

    ‘Thank you Bobbi. The feathers are very attractive.’ Elijah could feel his heart flutter 

with joy.

     Elijah was feeling very proud as the days passed. He could feel the magic from every 

gift of colorful feathers. More days had passed and Elijah continued to feel very happy 

indeed.  

      Out of the air came a sound so low yet pretty to hear. The sound seemed to be 

coming from a branch of a blossoming apple tree. The apple tree did not grow apples every 

year.This year it was blossoming time and it was the most awesome sight to look at.  

      The tree was abundant with pink and white blossoms. It was pretty as anyone could 

ever imagine. It was magical to watch and even more magical to hear sweet music of birds 

hidden within the colorful crowded blossoms. Elijah wished he could make the very same 

beautiful music.

     ‘Hello Elijah.   What a big bird you are. I would like to create some beautiful magic for 

you. I am a canary and although I am very small my coat of yellow feathers make me feel 

very big.   My voice gives great pleasure to all who listen and look to the apple tree.’’

     Elijah looked very hard to the apple tree. He wondered if his imagination was too 

good to be true.   He opened his eyes wider and focused on a particular spot among the 

blossoms. From where he heard the lovely sound a wee yellow bird peeked out and startled 

Elijah. The shade of bright yellow fluttered the cluster of pink blossoms.

      ‘Aha! There you are little bird. I finally see you.’ Elijah spoke with a smile.

    ‘Tweet! Ha! Ha!   My name is Cocoa. I am a canary who has many canary friends.   We 

love apple trees. They provide us with food for many days. Before I fly away to join my 

friends once again I give to you some yellow feathers to don your gray wings. They will 

look fantastic on you.   Take care, Elijah! ‘Cocoa flew so quickly to the tree that Elijah could 

not see him. Elijah was amazed.

     Elijah could feel the yellow feathers as they slid into place among his large wings.

     ‘Oh how magnificent I am feeling. There is so much magic happening here. I am 

grateful for the many feathery gifts from all my new found friends.’ Elijah smiled the 

biggest smile in such a long time.

     Cocoa, Cara and Bobbi knew their gifts of colorful feathers made Elijah extremely 

happy.   

     Although Elijah was beginning to feel awesome he felt something was still missing in his 

life.   He was not sure of what he needed but magic works in mysterious ways.  

     Elijah now believed in the power of magic. All he had to do was be patient and 

understanding. For many days Elijah fluttered his wings and continuously admired the colors 

of his lovely wings.

    The sun rose on a mid–summer’s day creating warmth and brightness. He was suddenly 

stirred from his sleep. He could feel a bit of special magic happening but he did not know 

what was going on. Elijah had not moved from his post for a very long time.   He seemed to 

be content in the very spot he stood. 

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