Once upon a time there was a Blue Jay named Benny. As time passed Benny got older and he realized that there was something peculiar about him. Like all other Blue Jays Benny's feathers had molted on time and were replaced by thick new feathers however unlike his brothers and sisters Benny's feathers were not blue…. They were pure white! As days turned into weeks there was no change. Benny's father Richard hoped beyond hope that the phase his son was going through would come to an end, as soon the time would come where he would have to leave the nest and strike out on his own but a Bluejay with white feathers… who would accept him? The family's reputation was at stake, he wouldn't be able to show his beak again in the fields, so one evening he decided to have a long overdue talk with his son.” Benny, this nonsense has gone on long enough and I'm putting a stop to it tonight. Your mother has been quite upset about the nonsense you've been doing with your feathers. She hasn't even eaten a worm for the day. Your must absolutely stop wearing these white feathers right now… I demand it!”

Benny felt tears starting to well up in his eyes “ You think I chose to be this way, I was made this way, there has to be some defect in your gene line... you can't possibly think I wanted this”

At these words Richard puffed out his chest, it was one thing to disobey him, even embarrass him in front of the other Blue Jays like Benny had been doing for weeks… But it was a completely other thing to be insulting the pure bred heritage of his family line. “Are you slow or underdeveloped or something? Even your younger brother has gotten all of his blue feathers. Where did I go wrong with you? Don't you know I am the most important Bluejay in the land.Do you think you can make a fool of me with this white feather nonsense. Benny this is absolutely unacceptable. You must leave here at once, I shall not tolerate any more of your insultive colour… when you've found your blue feathers you may return.” His father's statements appalled Benny, there was noone who understood what he was going through. So reluctantly Benny left the comfort of the nest and went in search of his blue feathers.

Benny flew and flew in rage and anger, he had no idea of what direction he was heading or even what distance he had travelled. Soon Benny could only think of how tired and hungry he had become. He looked downward and saw what seemed to be miles and miles of sweet yellow corn. Amongst the harvest there was a huge perch with many birds flapping around it. Benny thought for sure this must be a good place to rest, get a meal and maybe ask some questions of where he might find his blue feathers. Benny started to descend to the perch and as he drew closer to his horror he saw a large flock of black birds with cold eyes converging and hissing and spitting around what seemed to be a gigantic terrifying man. Cautiously Benny settled on the very edge of a stick the man was holding. Suddenly there was uproar the black birds attention was now focused on Benny. A large and filthy black bird with piercing claws perched above Benny directly on the enormous man's head shouted at Benny “ Squawk!, Squawk! Squawk! we don't allow your kind in these parts pale –feathered vermin SQUAWK ! SQUAWK! SQUAWK!” The flock of birds started to circle Benny drawing closer and closer. He just had enough time to peck a few mouthfuls of corn and escape before they could sink their filthy claws and beaks into him.

Benny flew as fast as his wings could carry him until there was no more corn to be seen. The landscape had changed quite significantly and he found that he had flown so fast that he was exhausted and had to stop to rest his wings. Benny descended beside a pond in the middle of the field. He looked around and saw that he was thankfully alone. He began to sip some of the pond water and he thought of all the events of the day. He thought about his family which he missed, even his father who never understood him. Benny started to feel very sad and depressed when unexpectedly he heard a strange tapping noise coming from behind him. Not knowing what to expect Benny glared behind him ready to make another hasty escape but he was rooted to the spot at the sight before him. Not two feet away stood what appeared a one –legged, one- eyed, one winged pigeon . I thought I had it bad, Benny thought to himself . Before Benny could even move the creature before him let out a hoarse screech “Scroochhoooo…”. which made Benny think that he was looking at a pigeon on her last legs, but the old crippled pigeon was simply just clearing her throat. “Scroochhoooo…I say… have you youngster… COO .. lost your tongue… COO ?… I've lost a great many things but … COO … thankfully my tongue isn't one of them …. COO !”. Though the pigeon looked harmless enough Benny spoke timidly “My name is Benny…”, but before he could finish the pigeon let out a loud “Scroochhoooo…well my name is… COO … Polly”. Benny was so glad to actually talk to another bird who didn't wish to make a meal out of him that he ignored her odd appearance and behaviour but doubted very much that she would be able to help him at all but he knew he had to try.

“ What brings you here little bird , we don't often get birds like you in this neck of the woods. As far as he could tell it was just the two of them but as he didn't wish to insult her so he decided to ignore it for the time being.

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