For DJ and Zhoen


are-you-my-mother
Originally uploaded by valonia2006
When I was a young girl one of my favourite books was "Are You My Mother?" by P. D. Eastman.

It tells the adventurous story of a baby bird who, after falling out of his nest, wanders in search of his mother. Every creature (or object) he meets he asks "are you my mother?" and meets with negative responses. Finally, he asks a mechanical crane whether it is his mother and in response the crane picks him up and puts him back in his nest, thus reuniting him with his mother.

It is a gorgeous book and reminds me a little of Giblet's tale!

giblet


giblet
Originally uploaded by valonia2006
The baby coot has been lovingly named Giblet and today my friend George filled his dingy with river water so Giblet could have a swim in safety. Whilst Giblet was swimming, his mother returned, and together they conversed in coot language. George kindly reunited mother and baby and they swam happily away. I am no longer a coot mother. At least I managed to keep it alive and happy overnight. My goldfish mothering skills are slightly less advanced as my previous record shows... Anyway, a happy ending it would seem to this coot related tale.

I Am A Mother...


14052010407
Originally uploaded by valonia2006
...to a lost baby coot. He was abandoned and drowning. He is very much alive now and has taken to running up and down the boat... and shouting at me when I get in his way.