Rachel Robin

One day Mom flew in with their lunch.
Told them, "I love you three a bunch,
But tomorrow is that special day
When you'll get out and fly away."

Her brother, Rob and sister, Lil,
Received this word with obvious thrill.
As they both gave loud grateful shouts,
Poor Rachel had some nagging doubts.

Next day, soon after the rooster's crow
A crowd had gathered for the show.
So Rob and Lil, without a care,
Both leaped and sailed right out of there.

As Rachel decided to commence,
Her brother, Rob, bounced off a fence.
A big brown dog chased her sister,
Snapped at her and barely missed her.

Rachel thought, "I think I'll stay,
And learn to fly some other day."
She said, "I'd better lie down quick,
I think I'm going to be sick."

In her prayers she said, "Oh, Lord,
Please bless me with a bungee cord.
Or send a pretty flying suit,
That has a tiny parachute."

She knew that robins have to fly
But Rachel was afraid to try.
She said, "Up here it seems so high.
And I'm too young a bird to die.

"If I could start down on the ground
Then flip and flap my wings around.
Soon that would get me in the air.
Can't I fly up from a start down there?"

Through eerie silence, not a sound,
Poor Rachel started for the ground.
In birdland there is nothing sadder,
Than a robin climbing down a ladder.

As she touches down there soon appears:
A funny bunny with floppy ears.
"You climbed down and I know why.
You're the bird that's afraid to fly.

"You'll learn to fly, just mark my words.
I've taught a lot of little birds.
So just chill out—that means be cool.
You're at Bonnie Bunny's Flying School.

"You have two wings, my little bird.
To refuse to fly is just absurd.
I know that I would rather fly
Than eat a piece of carrot pie.

"To learn new things is hard to do.
Why, I was scared of hopping, too.
The secret: just be brave and try.
I hop real good and you will fly.

"At times some kids are pretty grim,
When they are learning how to swim.
Watch a child first ride a bike,
And you will see what brave is like.

"We don't need much stuff for school,
We'll use that ladder for a tool.
Let's start with some beginning fun.
Try jumping from step number one.

"Now climb on up to number three.
Pretend you're way up in a tree.
From here we know you can't fall far.
Then spread your wings, jump for a star."

So Rachael did as Bonnie said.
And raised her wings above her head.
As she jumped she thought of dying,
But all at once this bird was flying.

As she thought, "This is not hard."
She flew almost across the yard.
And after one more practice flight.
She realized she had it right.

Her mother's smile turned to a giggle
As Rachel soared just like an eagle.
And Bonnie Bunny was really proud
As her student streaked right through a cloud.

When facing something new to do.
Be brave and you can do it, too.
Rachel did and is now way cool.
As she buzzes Bonnie's flying school.

—Grandpa Tucker
Copyright ©1997 by Bob Tucker