🌲 Hooty Visits the Reserve — Hoot’s First Flight Home
(A story-song moment in Pine Hollow Reserve)
The morning of Hoot’s first real flight had finally arrived.
The boy, Ethan Parker — visited Hoot nearly every day, who fed him, prayed with him, and whispered courage into his little heart — stood at the edge of the Reserve with mist curling around his shoes. He wasn’t allowed to go into the training glen, but he could watch from the fence… and he did, every single day. Ethan was happy for his feathered friend, who had completely recovered from his injury. Ethan could always visit with Hooty and Hoot again, on the other side of the reserve in Pine Hollow Forest.
Today, though, felt different.
Hooty swooped in from the east, wings wide and strong, landing beside the boy with a soft whuff.
“You came for him,” the boy whispered.
Hooty nodded. “A first flight is never forgotten.”
Across the clearing, little Hoot fluttered onto the launch branch — nervous, excited, trembling just a little. When he saw his uncle, his whole face lit up.
“Uncle Hooty! You’re here!”
“Right beside you,” Hooty said, stepping onto the branch. “Your first flight home… We’ll take it together.”
The boy pressed his hands to his heart as the two owls leaned forward, wings opening in perfect unison. The sun broke through the clouds, scattering gold across the pond. The Reserve Keeper rang the tiny brass bell.
It was time.
Hooty whispered Psalm 91:4 under his breath —
“He will cover you with His feathers…”
And with one brave leap, Hoot lifted into the air —
wobbly at first, then steady, then soaring.
Hooty flew beside him, guiding, guarding, gliding with him all the way toward Pine Hollow.
The boy watched them disappear into the sunlight, whispering,
“You did it, Hoot… you really did.”
And somewhere above the treetops, a new song began to form.
🎵 “Learning as I Go”
(Hoot’s First‑Flight Song)
Verse 1
I’m stretching out my wings today,
The sky is calling me…
I’m learning how to trust the wind,
And who I’m meant to be.
Uncle Hooty’s flying close,
He knows just where to go…
I’m finding strength with every flap,
I’m learning as I go.
Chorus
🎶 Learning as I go,
Higher with each try.
Finding courage in the breeze,
And sunlight in the sky.
With Hooty by my side,
There’s so much more to know…
I’m growing, I’m soaring,
I’m learning as I go. 🎶
Verse 2
The boy who loved me every day
Is cheering from below…
He helped me find my bravery
More than he’ll ever know.
The forest looks so different now,
From up here in the glow…
My heart is beating strong and free,
I’m learning as I go.
Bridge
Sometimes the wind is gentle,
Sometimes it’s wild and wide…
But I can face the changing skies
With Hooty as my guide.
And God is watching over me,
His feathers soft and low…
He keeps me safe in every flight,
I’m learning as I go.
Final Chorus
🎶 Learning as I go,
Higher with each try.
Finding courage in the breeze,
And sunlight in the sky.
With Hooty by my side,
There’s so much more to know…
I’m growing, I’m soaring,
I’m learning as I go. 🎶
Ending Whisper
One flap at a time…
All the way home.
Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©
MBRMNMPMKBPBANNABEN 444355#26
2026©
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