Praise for SARA, Book 1

An author writes:Sara is the heartwarming novel of a girl who

discovers the secrets of creating a happy life.And as Sara discovers how to create a better lifefor herself by starting right where she livesthereader also learns the same lessons. Magically,both are transformed. Reading this refreshing and inspiring bookcan awaken all readers to the inner power theyalready have for creating the kind of life theyvealways wished for. Sara is a book you will want to give to yourfamily and friends because it conveys powerfulmessages about life in a manner that is easy tounderstand and digest. The authors inspired writing weaves anenchanting spell that can change lives just byreading it. And while this is not specifically a

childrens book, Sara is a life-transforming storyfor the child in each of us. Powerful. Magical. Empowering. Read it.A tax accountant writes: Sara is wonderful. Im on my third reading! Somuch to learn from it. Gives me a wonderful liftupward!A ten-year-old writes: I just read your book. Its the best book Iveever read in my whole life. I just wanted to thankyou for writing it cause its made the biggestchange in my whole entire life.A grandmother says: What an overwhelming feeling of joy andappreciation I am feeling.My granddaughter nowkeeps reading parts to us and to her friends so clear and delightful!

This wonderful little book is a gem, elegant inits clarity of message.Its teachings fly straight tothe heart, connecting to the Sara in each of us!A gentle, charming story, it is sometimes funny,often poignant, and most of all, wonderfully

joyful. It will surely become a primer for studentsof well-being.

Audrey Harbur Bershen, psychotherapist

And Abraham says:

This book will help you to remember that yourean eternal being and it will help you to

discover the everlasting bond that connectsjoyous loved ones to one another.

Sara receives the Award ofExcellence

Body Mind Spirit Magazine, one of the widestknown publishers of New Thought materials, hasrecently informed us that our beloved Sara hasreceived their Award of Excellence as one of lastyears outstanding books in print. And, as such,has been included as one of the 46 booksrecognized in their magazines Books to Live Byselection.

Esther and I were most pleased to learn thatour dear friend Louise Hays Hay Housepublication of another dear friend, Alan Cohensbook, A Deep Breath of Life, has also receivedthe recognition.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Hicks: It is my pleasure toinform you that Sara, and the Foreverness ofFriends of a Feather has received a 1997 BodyMind Spirit Award of Excellence as one of1996s outstanding books in print

Chosen from hundreds of excellent books inprint in the areas of spirituality, natural healing,relationships and creativity each book makesa valuable contribution to our self-knowledge andself-transformation. We commend the authorsfor these outstanding works.

Esther and I feel both appreciative of, andblessed by, the recognition of our Sara.

Jerry Hicks

SARA, Book 1

The Forevernessof Friends of a Feather

Other Hay House Titles by Estherand Jerry Hicks

(The Teachings of Abraham)

Books, Calendar, and Card Decks

The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent (also available inSpanish)

Ask and It Is Given (also available in Spanish)Ask and It Is Given Cards

Ask and It Is Given Perpetual Calendar (available July 2007) The Astonishing Power of Emotions (available September

2007) The Law of Attraction

Manifest Your Desires (available June 2008)Sara, Book 2: Solomons Fine Featherless Friends

Sara, Book 3: A Talking Owl Is Worth a Thousand Words The Teachings of Abraham Well-Being Cards

CD ProgramsThe Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent (Parts I and II: two 4-

CD sets) Ask and It Is Given (Parts I and II: two 4-CD sets)

The Astonishing Power of Emotions (Parts I and II: two 4-CD

sets)The Law of Attraction (4-CD set)

Please visit Hay House USA: www.hayhouse.comHay House Australia: www.hayhouse.com.au

Hay House UK: www.hayhouse.co.ukHay House South Africa: orders@psdprom.co.za

Hay House India: www.hayhouseindia.co.in

SARA, Book 1

The Foreverness of Friends of a Feather

Esther and Jerry Hicks

Illustrated by Caroline S. Garrett

HAY HOUSE, INC.Carlsbad, California

London Sydney Johannesburg Vancouver Hong Kong New Delhi

Copyright 1995 by Esther and Jerry Hicks

Published and distributed in the United States by: HayHouse, Inc.:www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australiaby: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Publishedand distrib-uted in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.:www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africaby: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: orders@ psdprom.co.za Distributed in Canadaby:

Raincoast: www.raincoast.com Published in India by: HayHouse Publishers India: www.hayhouseindia.co.in

Illustrations: 1995 Caroline S. Garrett

All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronicprocess, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may itbe stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise becopied for public or private useother than for fair use asbrief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithoutprior written permission of the publisher. The intent of the

prior written permission of the publisher. The intent of theauthors is only to offer information of a general nature to helpyou in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In theevent you use any of the information in this book for yourself,which is your constitutional right, the authors and the publisherassume no responsibility for your actions.

First published in 1995 by Abraham-Hicks Publications: ISBN:0-9621219-4-0

Library of Congress Control No.: 2006924804

ISBN: 978-1-4019-1158-410 09 08 07 4 3 2 1

1st edition, April 2007

Printed in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to all of you who, in yourdesire for enlightenment and Well-being, haveasked the questions this book has answered and to the four delightful children of our childrenwho are examples of what the book teaches who are not yet asking because they have not

yet forgotten.

FOREWORD

PREFACE

PART I THE FOREVERNESS OF FRIENDS OFA FEATHER

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

PART II THE HAPPILY FOREVER AFTERLIFEOF SARA AND SOLOMON

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

OTHER HAY HOUSE TITLES FOR YOUNGREADERS

Foreword

Here is an inspiring as well as inspired bookabout a childs experiential journey into unlimitedjoyousness. Sara is a shy, withdrawn ten-year-oldgirl who is not very happy. She has an obnoxiousbrother who constantly teases her, cruel andunfeeling classmates, and an apathetic attitudetoward her schoolwork. In short, she represents alot of kids in our society today. When I first readthis book, I was struck by the similarities betweenSara and my own ten-year-old. Sara is really acomposite of all children.

Sara wants to feel good and happy and loving,but as she looks around, she doesnt find much tofeel that way about. This all changes when shemeets Solomon, a wise old owl, who shows herhow to see things differently through the eyes ofunconditional love. He teaches Sara how toalways be in an atmosphere of pure, positiveenergy. She sees for the first time who she really

is and her unlimited potential. You, as the reader,will realize this is so much more than a childrensstory. This is a blueprint for attaining the joy andhappiness that are your birthright.

My whole family read this book, and we haventbeen the same since. My husband, perhaps, wasthe most moved by it. He actually said that it hadsuch a tremendous impact on him that he looks atlife with new eyes. Its like being nearsighted yourwhole life and then finally getting glasses.Everything becomes crystal clear.

I cannot say enough good things about this life-transforming book. You will share in Saras upsand downs on the way to greater heights offulfillment and know that there is a Sara in all ofus. If there is only one book you ever buy, makesure it is this one (its for all ages). You wontregret it!

Denise Tarsitano, in the Rising Star Series

Preface

People would rather be entertained thaninformed. That was, I believe, an observation ofeminent publisher William Randolph Hearst. If so,then to inform in an entertaining manner wouldseem to be the most effective mode of conveyinginformation, even information of great personalvalue.

The Foreverness of Friends of a Feather bothentertains and informs as it flows to youas peryour state of attraction through the Universalthought translation process of Esther and herword processor. Streams of impeccable wisdomand unconditional lovegently taught by Sarasvery entertaining feathered mentorblend withthe currents of Saras enlightening experienceswith her family, peers, neighbors, and teachers tolift you to a new awareness of your natural state ofwell-being, and of your knowing that all is reallywell.

Consider who you are and why youre here asyoure considering studying this book, and then,at the completion of your first leisurely reading,take note of how far and how fast you haveprogressed toward all that is important to you.

As a result of the clearer perspectives that youwill have gained from this brief, simple, thought-provoking novel, expect to experience a new levelof joyous fulfillment.

Jerry Hicks

PART I

The Forevernessof Friends of a Feather

CHAPTER 1

Sara frowned as she lay in her warm bed,disappointed to find herself awake. It was stilldark outside, but she knew it was time to get up. Ihate these short winter days, Sara thought. I wishI could just stay here until the sun comes up.

Sara knew she had been dreaming. It wassomething very pleasant, although she had noidea now what the dream had been about.

I dont want to wake up yet, Sara thought, asshe tried to adjust from her pleasant dream intothe not-so-pleasant cold winter morning. Sarasnuggled down deep into her warm bed andlistened to hear if her mother was up and movingabout yet. She pulled the blankets up over herhead, and closed her eyes and tried to recall apiece of the very pleasant dream she hadawakened from. It had been so delicious thatSara wanted more.

Darn. I really need to use the bathroom. Illjust hold still and relax, and maybe I wont

notice.Sara shifted her position, trying to delay the

inevitable. Its not working. Okay. Im up. Anotherday. Big deal.

Sara tiptoed down the hall into the bathroom,carefully stepping over the spot in the floor thatalways creaked, and quietly closed the door. Shedecided to put off flushing the toilet so that shecould enjoy the luxury of actually being awake andalone. Just five more minutes of peace andquiet, Sara thought.

Sara? Are you up? Come here and help me!Might as well flush the toilet, Sara muttered.

Okay, Ill be right there! she called to her mother.She could never figure out how her mother

always seemed to know what everyone in thehouse was doing. She must have buggingdevices hidden in every room, Sara bitterlydecided. She knew that wasnt really true, but hernegative mental rampage was well under way,and it seemed that there was no stopping it.

Im going to stop drinking anything before I goto bed. Better yet, from noon on, I wont drink

anything. Then, when I wake up, I can just lie inbed and think, all to myselfand no one willknow Im awake.

I wonder how old you are when you stopenjoying your own thoughts? I know that ithappens, because no one else is ever quiet.They cant be listening to their own thoughts,cause theyre always Startled, Sara blinked asshe came back into the awareness that she wasstanding in front of the bathroom sink, blanklystaring into the mirror, with her toothbrushhalfheartedly moving around in her mouth. talkingor watching television, and when they get in thecar, the first thing they do is turn the radio on.Nobody seems to like to be alone. They alwayswant to be with somebody else. They want to goto a meeting or to a movie or to a dance or to aball game. Id like to put a blanket of quiet overeverything so I could, just for a little while, hearmyself think. I wonder if its possible to be awakeand not be bombarded with other peoples noise.

Im going to organize a club. People againstOPN. Member requirements include: You can

like others, but you do not need to talk to them.You can like watching others, but do not need toexplain to anybody else what you saw. You haveto like to be alone sometimes to just think yourown thoughts. Its okay to want to help others, butyou must be willing to keep that to a minimum,because thats a trap that will ruin you for sure. Ifyoure too helpful, its all over. Theyll consumeyou with their ideas, and you wont have any timefor yourself. You must be willing to lay low andwatch others without them being aware of you.

I wonder if anybody else would like to join myclub. No, that would ruin it! My club is about notneeding clubs! Its about my life being importantenough, interesting enough, fun enough, that Idont need anybody else.

Sara!Are you going to stay in there all day? Lets

get moving. We have lots to do!

CHAPTER 2

Sara, did you have something you wanted tosay?

Sara jumped, becoming aware again as Mr.Jorgensen said her name.

Yes, sir. I mean, about what, sir? Sarastammered while the other 27 students in herclassroom snickered.

Sara had never understood why they took suchdelight in someone elses embarrassment, butthey never failed to do just that, laughingraucously as if something actually funny hadhappened. What is funny about someone elsefeeling bad? Sara just couldnt sort out theanswer to that, but now wasnt the time to ponderthat anyway, for Mr. Jorgensen was still holdingher in the unbelievable spotlight of discomfortwhile her classmates looked on with exaggeratedglee.

Can you answer the question, Sara?More laughing.Stand up, Sara, and give us your answer.Why is he being so mean? Is this really so

important?

Five or six eager hands shot up around theclassroom, as show-off classmates took furtherdelight in making Sara look bad.

No, sir, Sara whispered, slipping down intoher seat.

What did you say, Sara? the teacher barked.I said, no, sir, I do not know the answer to the

question, Sara said, a bit louder. But Mr.Jorgensen wasnt finished with Saranot yet.

Do you know the question, Sara?Saras face flushed red with embarrassment.

She didnt have the slightest idea what thequestion was. She had been deep in her ownthoughts, truly in her own world.

Sara, may I offer a suggestion to you?Sara didnt look up, because she knew that

giving her permission or not giving it wouldntstop Mr. Jorgensen.

I suggest, young lady, that you spend moretime thinking about the important things that arediscussed here in this classroom, and less timegazing out of the window, wasting your time onidle, needless thoughts. Try to put something in

that empty head of yours. More laughter.Will this class never end?And then the bell, finally the bell.Sara walked slowly home, watching her red

boots sinking into the white snow. Grateful for thesnowfall. Grateful for the quiet. Grateful for anopportunity to retreat into the privacy of her ownmind as she began her two-mile walk home.

She noticed that the water beneath the MainStreet bridge was nearly completely covered withice, and she thought about sliding down theriverbank to see how thick the ice was, butdecided to do that on another day. She was ableto see the water flowing beneath the ice, and shesmiled as she pondered how many differentfaces this river showed throughout the year. Thisbridge, crossing this river, was her favorite part ofher walk home. There was always somethinginteresting happening here.

Once across the bridge, Sara looked up for thefirst time since leaving the school yard, and shefelt a little twinge of sadness wash over her asshe realized that her quiet walk in solitude wasonly two blocks from ending. She slowed her

pace to savor the peace she had rediscovered,and then turned and walked backwards for a bit,looking back at the bridge.

Oh well, she sighed softly, as she entered thegraveled driveway to her house. She paused onthe steps to kick at a large sheet of ice, looseningit with her boot and kicking it off into a snow bank.Then she pulled off her wet boots and went intothe house.

Quietly closing the door, and hanging her heavywet coat on the hook, Sara made as little noiseas possible. She wasnt at all like the othermembers of her family who usually called out aloud, penetrating Im home! upon entering. Idlike to be a hermit, she concluded, walkingthrough the living room into the kitchen. A quiet,happy hermit, thinking, talking or not talking,getting to choose everything about my day. Yes!

CHAPTER 3

Her only awarenessas she lay sprawled infront of her school locker on the mud-streakedfloorwas that her elbow was hurting, reallyhurting.

hurting.Falling down is always such a shock. It

happens so fast. One moment youre upright,moving quickly forward with some very deliberateintention of being in your seat when the final bellrings, and the next minute youre lying flat on yourback, immobilized, stunned, and hurting. And theworst thing in the whole world is to fall down atschool, where everybody can see you.

Sara looked up into a sea of gleeful-lookingfaces that were grinning, snickering, or laughingright out loud. They act like nothing like this hasever happened to them.

Once they figured out that there was nothing asexciting as a broken bone or bleeding flesh, or avictim writhing in pain, the crowd dissolved, andher ghoulish schoolmates went on with their ownlives, making their way back to their classrooms.

A blue-sweatered arm reached down, and ahand took hers, pulling her into a sitting position,and a girls voice said, Are you okay? Do youwant to stand up?

No, Sara thought, I want to disappear, butsince that wasnt likely, and since the crowd had

already pretty much dissolved, Sara smiledweakly, and Ellen helped her to her feet.

Sara had never spoken with Ellen before, butshe had seen her in the hallways. Ellen was twogrades ahead of Sara, and she had only been ather school for about a year.

Sara really didnt know much about Ellen, butthen that wasnt unusual. Older kids neverinteracted with younger ones. There was somekind of unwritten code against that. But Ellenalways smiled easily, and even though she didntseem to have many friends and moved aboutpretty much by herself, she seemed perfectlyhappy. That may have been why Sara hadnoticed her. Sara was a loner, too. She preferredit that way.

These floors get so slippery when its wetoutside, Ellen said. Im surprised more peopledont fall down in here.

Still a bit dazed, and embarrassed intonumbness, Sara wasnt consciously focused onthe words Ellen was speaking, but somethingabout Ellens offering was making Sara feel much

better.It was a little unsettling to Sara to find herself so

affected by another person. It was truly a rareoccasion for her to prefer the words spoken fromanother to the quiet retreat into her own privatethoughts. This felt weird.

Thank you, Sara murmured, as she tried tobrush some of the mud from her soiled skirt.

I dont think it will look so bad once it dries abit, Ellen said.

And, again, it wasnt the words that Ellenspoke. They were just normal, everyday words,but it was something else. Something about theway she spoke them.

Ellens calm, clear voice seemed to soothe thesense of tragedy and trauma Sara had beenfeeling, and her enormous embarrassment all butvanished, leaving Sara feeling stronger andbetter.

Oh, it doesnt really matter. Sara replied.Wed better hurry or well be late.

And as she took her seatelbow throbbing,clothes muddied, shoelaces untied, and her

stringy brown hair hanging in her eyesshe feltbetter than she had ever felt sitting in this seat. Itwasnt logical, but it was true.

Saras walk home from school was differentthat day. Instead of withdrawing into her own quietthoughts, noticing not much more than the narrowpath in the snow before her, Sara felt alert andalive. She felt like singing. So she did. Humminga familiar tune, she moved happily down her path,watching others on their way about the smalltown.

As she passed the towns only restaurant, Saraconsidered stopping in for an after-school snack.Often, a glazed doughnut or an ice-cream cone,or a small basket of French-fried potatoes, wasjust the thing to temporarily distract Sara from thelong, weary day she had spent in school.

I still have all of this weeks allowance, Sarathought, standing on the sidewalk in front of thesmall caf, considering. But she decided not to,as she remembered her mothers often-offeredwords: Dont spoil your dinner.

Sara had never understood those words

because she was always ready to eat if what wasoffered was good. It was only when dinner didntlook good, or, more important, when it didntsmell good, that she found excuses to pass it by,or at least eat it sparingly. Seems to me likesomebody else is the one that spoils it. Saragrinned to herself as she continued walkinghome. She really didnt need anything today,anyway for today, all was really rather well inSaras world.

CHAPTER 4

Sara stopped atop the Main Street bridge,looking below at the ice to see if it looked thickenough to walk across. She spotted a few birds

standing on the ice and noticed some rather largedog tracks in the snow on the ice, but she didntthink that the ice was quite yet ready for all of herweight, including her heavy coat, boots, and arather hefty bag of books. Better wait a bit, Sarathought, as she peered down the icy river.

Leaning way out over the ice, supported by therusty railing, which Sara believed was there justfor her own personal pleasure, and feeling betterthan she had felt in a long time, she decided tostay for a while to look at her wonder- ful river.She dropped her book bag to her feet and leanedagainst her rusty metal railing, Saras favoriteplace in the whole world.

Resting and leaning and appreciating this spot,Sara smiled as she remembered the day this oldrailing was transformed into the perfect leaningperch by Mr. Jacksons hay truck when heslammed on his brakes on the wet, icy road toavoid running over Harvey, Mrs. Petersonsdachshund. Everyone in town talked on and on formonths about how lucky he was that his truckdidnt go right into the river. Sara was alwayssurprised at how people were always makingthings seem bigger and worse than they really

were. If Mr. Jacksons truck had gone into theriver, well, that would be quite different. Thatwould justify the big fuss everyone made. Or if hehad gone into the river and had drowned, thatwould have been even more reason to talk. Buthe didnt go into the river.

As far as Sara could figure out, no harm hadcome from it at all. His truck wasnt damaged. Mr.Jackson wasnt damaged. Harvey was frightenedand stayed home for several days, but he wasnthurt in any way. People just like to worry, Saraconcluded. But Sara was elated when shediscovered her new leaning perch. Large, heavy-gauge steel posts were now bending way outover the water. So perfect, it was as if it wasmade especially to please and delight Sara.

Leaning out over the river and lookingdownstream, Sara could see the great logstretched across the river, and that made hersmile, too. That was another accident that suitedher just fine.

One of the big trees that lined the riverbankwas badly damaged in a wind storm. So thefarmer who owned the land gathered somevolunteers from around town, and they trimmed all

of the branches from the tree, getting ready to cutit down. Sara wasnt sure why there was so muchexcitement about it. It was just one big old tree.

Her father wouldnt let her get close enough tohear much of what they were saying, but Saraheard someone say that they were worried thatthe power lines might be too close. But then thebig saws started buzzing again, and Saracouldnt hear anything else, so she stood back ata distance, with most everyone else in town, towatch the big event.

Suddenly, the saws were quiet and Sara heardsomeone shout, Oh no! Sara rememberedcovering her ears and squeezing her eyes closedtight. It felt like the whole town shook when thehuge tree fell, but when Sara opened her eyes,she squealed with delight as she got her firstglimpse of her perfect log bridge connecting thelittle dirt paths on each side of the river.

As Sara basked in her metal nest, hangingright out over the river, she breathed deeply,wanting to take in that great river smell. It washypnotic. The fragrances, the constant, steadysound of the water. I love this old river, Sarathought, still gazing at her big log that was

crossing the water downstream.Sara loved to put her hands out for balance and

see how quickly she could scoot across the log.She was never frightened, but she was alwaysmindful that the slightest slip could take hertumbling into the river. And Sara never crossedthe log that she didnt hear her mothers cautious,uncomfortable words playing in her mind: Sara,stay away from that river! You could drown!

But Sara didnt pay much attention to thosewords, not anymore, anyway, because she knewsomething that her mother didnt. Sara knew thatshe couldnt drown.

Relaxed, and at one with the world, Sara lay inher perch and remembered what had happenedon that very log just two summers earlier. It hadbeen late in the afternoon, and all of Saraschores were done, so she had gone down to theriver. She had leaned in her metal perch for awhile, and then she had followed the dirt pathdown to the log. The river, swollen from the run-offfrom the melting snow, was higher than usual, andwater was actually lapping up over the log. Shehad debated whether it was a good idea to cross

over. But then, with a strange sort of whimsicalenthusiasm, she decided to cross her precariouslog bridge. As she got near the middle, shepaused for a moment and turned sideways on thelog with both feet pointing downstream, teeteringback and forth only slightly, as she regained herbalance and her courage. And then, from out ofnowhere, came the Pittsfields mangy mutt Fuzzy,bounding across the bridge, happilyacknowledging Sara, and bumping up againsther with sufficient force to topple Sara into thevery fast-moving river.

Well, this is it, Sara had thought. Just as mymother warned, Im going to drown! But thingswere moving too fast for Sara to give too muchthought to that. For Sara found herself on anamazing and wonderful ride as she floated rapidlydownstream on her back with eyes lookingupward, seeing one of the most beautiful viewsshe had ever witnessed.

She had walked these riverbanks hundreds oftimes, but this was a point of view very differentfrom what shed noticed before. Gently carried onthis amazing cushion of water, she could see bluesky up above, framed by perfectly shaped trees,

denser and sparser, thicker and thinner. So manybeautiful shades of green.

Sara wasnt aware that the water wasextremely cold, but instead, she felt as if she werefloating on a magic carpet, smoothly and quietlyand safely.

For a moment, it seemed to be getting darker.As Sara floated into a thick grove of trees thatlined the riverbank, she could see almost no skyat all.

Wow, these trees are beautiful! Sara saidright out loud. She had never walked this fardownstream. The trees were lush and lovely, andsome of their limbs were dipping right down intothe river.

And then, a long, friendly, solid limb seemed toreach right down into the water to give Sara ahand up.

Thank you, tree, Sara said sweetly, pullingherself out of the river. That was very nice of you.

She stood on the riverbank, dazed butexhilarated, and tried to get her bearings.

Wow! Sara murmured as she spotted thePetersons big red barn. She could barely believeher eyes. In what had seemed to Sara like only a

minute or two, she had floated over five milesthrough pastures and farmland. But Sara didntmind the long walk home one bit. With deliciousenthusiasm for life, Sara walked and skipped herway home.

As soon as she could get out of them, she puther dirty, wet clothes in the washing machine andhurriedly ran a nice warm bath. No point in givingMother one more thing to worry about, she hadthought. This wont make her feel safer.

Sara lay back in the warm water, smiling, as allsorts of leaves and dirt and river bugs washed outof her curly brown hair, knowing, with certainty,that her mother was wrong.

Sara knew that she would never drown.

CHAPTER 5

Sara, wait up! Sara stopped in the center ofthe intersection and waited as her little brotherran at top speed toward her.

Ya gotta come, Sara, its real neat!Ill bet it is, Sara thought, pondering the last

several real neat things Jason had sprung onher. There was the barn rat hed trapped in hisown self-made trap, that really was alive last timeI looked, Jason had promised. Twice, hedcaught Sara off guard and had tricked her intopeering into his school bag, only to find someinnocent little bird or mouse that had fallen prey toJason and his grungy little friends, excited andeager to use their new Christmas BB guns.

What is it with boys? Sara pondered, waiting,as Jason, tired, had now slowed to a walk, seeingthat Sara was actually waiting for him. How canthey actually take pleasure in hurting poor,defenseless little animals? Id like to catch them

in a trap and see how they like it, Sara thought. Iremember when his pranks were less gory andeven funny, sometimes, but Jason just seems toget meaner and meaner.

Sara stood in the middle of the quiet countryroad waiting for her brother to catch up to her.She suppressed a smile as she remembered theclever hoax Jason had carried out by laying hishead down on his desk, hiding his shiny rubbervomit, and then looking up with his big browneyes, exposing his sickening prize when histeacher stood over him. Mrs. Johnson had rushedout of the room to get the janitor to deal with themess, but when she came back, Jasonannounced that he had taken care of it, and Mrs.Johnson was so relieved that she didnt even askany questions. Jason was excused to go home.

Sara was stunned at how gullible Mrs. Johnsonhad been, not even wondering how this vomit,which appeared fresh and runny, managed tostand in such a neat little puddle on a desk with afairly significant slope. But then, Mrs. Johnsonhadnt yet had as much experience with Jason as

Sara had, and, she admitted, he got to her morethan once, in her more naive days, but no more.Sara was on to her brother.

Sara! Jason shouted, winded and excited.Sara stepped back, Jason, you dont have to

yell, Im only two feet away from you.Sorry. Jason gulped as he tried to catch his

breath. You gotta come! Solomons back!Whos Solomon? Sara questioned, regretting

her question as soon as it was blurted out; shedidnt want to show one bit of interest in whateverJason was babbling about.

Solomon! You know, Solomon. The giant birdon Thackers Trail!

I never heard of a giant bird on ThackersTrail, Sara offered, mustering as much of asound of boredom as she could on such shortnotice. Jason, Im not interested in any more ofyour stupid birds.

This bird isnt stupid, Sara, its gigantic! Youshould see it. Billy said its bigger than hisfathers car. Sara, you have to come, please.

Jason, a bird cannot be bigger than a car.

Yes, it can! You can ask Billys dad! He wasdriving home one day, and he said he saw ashadow so big he thought it was an airplanepassing over him. It covered the whole car. But itwasnt an airplane, Sara, it was Solomon!

Sara had to admit that Jasons enthusiasm forSolomon was getting to her a bit.

Ill go some other time, Jason. I have to gethome.

Oh, Sara, please come! Solomon might not behere again. You have to come, Sara, you haveto!

Jasons persistence was beginning to worrySara. He wasnt usually so intense. Ordinarily,when he felt Saras strong will kicking in, hed justgive up and lay low and wait for anotheropportunity to catch her more off guard. Hedlearned, from much experience, that the more hepressed his sister to do something that she didntwant to do, the more impossible Sara became.But there was something different here. Jasonseemed compelled in a way that Sara hadntseen before, and so, to Jasons tremendous

surprise and delight, Sara gave in.Oh, all right, Jason. Where is this giant bird?His name is Solomon.How do you know his name?Billys dad named him. He says hes an owl.

And owls are wise. So his name should beSolomon.

Sara picked up her pace to try tokeep up with Jason.

Hes really excited about this bird, Sarathought. This is weird.

Hes in here, somewhere, Jason said. Helives in here.

Sara was often amused at Jasons assumedconfidence, when Sara knew that he knew that hereally didnt know what he was talking about. But,more often than not, Sara would play along,pretending that she didnt notice. It was easierthat way.

They looked into the sparsely leafed thicket,

now covered with snow. They walked along abadly decaying fence row, following a narrow pathin the snow, carved out by a lone dog that hadapparently run along not long before them. . . .

Sara almost never walked this path in thewinter. It was out of the way of her usual walkbetween school and home. This was, however, aplace where Sara had spent countless blissfulsummer hours. Sara walked along, noting all thefamiliar nooks and crannies, feeling good aboutrevisiting her old path. Best thing about this path,Sara thought, is that I had it mostly to myself. Nocars passing, no neighbors. This is a quiet path.I should walk here more often.

Solomon! Jasons voice rang out, startlingSara. She hadnt expected him to shout.

Jason, dont yell at Solomon. If he is in here,he wont be if you keep that up.

He is in here, Sara. I told you, he lives in here.And if he woulda left, we woulda seen him. Hesreally big, Sara, really!

Sara and Jason walked deeper and deeperinto the thicket, ducking under a rusty wire, which

was one of the last remnants of this rickety oldfence. They walked along slowly, feeling their waycarefully, not certain what might be buried in thisknee-deep snow.

Jason, Im getting cold.Just a little more, Sara. Please?It was more from her own curiosity than from

Jasons prodding, but Sara agreed. Okay,Jason, five more minutes! Sara shrieked as shestepped, waist-high, into an irrigation ditchcamouflaged by the snow. The cold, wet snowcame right up under Saras coat and blouse andtouched right up against her bare skin. Okay,Jason, thats it! Im going home!

Jason was disappointed that they didnt findSolomon, but Saras irritation had distracted himfrom that. There wasnt much that pleased Jasonmore than his sisters irritation. Jason laughedheartily as Sara shook the cold wet snow out fromunder her clothing.

Oh, you think thats funny, dont you, Jason?You probably made this whole Solomon thing upjust to get me wet and mad!

Jason laughed as he ran out ahead of Sara. Asmuch as he enjoyed her irritation, he had wiselylearned to keep a safe distance. No, Sara,Solomon is real. Youll see.

Yeah, right! Sara snapped back at Jason.But for some reason, Sara knew that Jason

was right.

CHAPTER 6

Sara couldnt remember a time that it was easyfor her to concentrate on what was going on in theclassroom. School is truly the most boring placeon earth, she had concluded long ago. But thisday, without exception, was the hardest that Sarahad ever experienced. She couldnt keep hermind on what the teacher was saying. Her mindkept drifting back to the thicket. And as soon asthe last bell rang, Sara stuffed her book bag intoher locker and went directly there.

Im probably crazy, Sara murmured to herself,as she walked deeper and deeper into thethicket, making her own trail in the deep snow asshe moved along. Im looking for a silly bird thatsprobably not even real. Well, if I dont see himright away, Im leaving. I dont want Jason to knowthat Im here, or that Im even interested in thisbird.

Sara stopped to listen. It was so still that shecould hear her own breathing. She couldnt seeone other living creature. Not a bird, not a

squirrel. Nothing. In fact, if it were not for thetracks that Sara and Jason and the lone dog hadleft there yesterday, Sara might have thought shewas, indeed, the only one alive on the planet.

This was truly a beautiful winter day. The sunhad been shining brightly all afternoon, and thetop crust of the snow was shiny and wet as it wasslowly melting. Everything was glistening.Ordinarily, a day like this would make Sarasheart sing. What could be better than to be off, allalone, thinking her own thoughts on a beautifulday like this? But Sara felt irritated. She hadhoped that Solomon would be easy to find.Somehow, thinking about the thicket and thepossibility of spotting this mysterious bird hadpiqued Saras interest, but now, standing herealone, knee-deep in snow, Sara began to feelfoolish. Where is this bird? Oh, forget it! Imgoing home!

In her frustration, Sara stood in the middle ofthe thicket, feeling angry and overwhelmed andsomewhat confused. She started backtrackingout of the thicket, the way she had come in, butthen stopped to consider if it would be faster tocross through the pasture that she so often usedas a shortcut during the summer months. Im sure

the river is frozen over by now. Maybe I cancross it here somewhere where its narrow, Sarathought, as she ducked under the single wirefence.

Sara was surprised by how disoriented shewas here in the winter. She had passed throughthis pasture hundreds of times. This was thepasture where her uncle kept his horse during thesummer months, but everything looked verydifferent with all of her familiar landmarks buriedbeneath the snow. The river was completely icedover here, and was covered by several inches ofsnow. Sara stopped, trying to remember wherethe narrowest point was. And then she felt the icegiving way beneath her feetand before sheknew it, she was flat on her back on the verytentative ice with cold water quickly soakingthrough her clothes. Sara flashed back to theamazing ride this river had given her before, and,for a moment, she felt real panic, imagining arepeat of that ride, but in this freezing cold water,being carried downstream to a frozen death.

Have you forgotten that you cannot drown? Akind voice spoke from somewhere over Sarashead.

Whos there? Sara asked, looking all around,staring up into the bare trees, squinting from theglare of the sun that was glistening and reflectingoff of the snow-covered everything around her.Whoever you are, why dont you help me out ofhere? Sara thought, as she lay on the crackingice, frightened that any movement might causethe ice to give way beneath her.

The ice will hold you. Just roll over onto yourknees and crawl over here, her mysterious friendsaid.

So, without looking up, Sara rolled over ontoher stomach, and ever so slowly she pulledherself up onto her knees. And then, gingerly, shebegan crawling in the direction of the voice.

Sara was in no mood for conversation. Notnow. She was wet and very cold, and really madat herself for doing something so stupid. Whatshe was most interested in, right now, was gettinghome and changing before anyone else camehome and caught her in her telltale clothes.

Ive gotta go, Sara said, squinting into the sunin the direction of whomever she had been talkingto.

She began picking her way back through her

own tracks, very cold, and irritated by herdecision to try to cross the silly river. And then ithit her. Hey, howd you know that I can neverdrown? No answer came back to her.

Whered you go? Hey, where are you? Saracalled.

And then the biggest bird Sara had ever seentook flight from the treetop, soared high into thesky, circled the thicket and pastures below, anddisappeared into the sun.

Sara stood in amazement, squinting into thesunlight. Solomon.

CHAPTER 7

Sara awakened the next morning, and as usual,ducked back under the covers, bracing againstbeginning another day. Then she rememberedSolomon.

Solomon, Sara thought, did I really see you, ordid I dream you?

But then, as Sara woke up more, sheremembered going to the thicket after school tolook for Solomon, and the ice giving way beneathher feet. No, Solomon, you were not a dream.Jason was right. Youre real.

Sara flinched as she thought of Jason and Billyshouting their way through the thicket looking forSolomon. And then that heavy, flustered feelingthat Sara always got when she thought of Jasonblasting into her life swept over her. I wont tellJason or anyone that Ive seen Solomon. This ismy secret.

Sara struggled all day long to give her attention

Sara struggled all day long to give her attentionto her teacher. Her mind kept pulling back to theglistening thicket and this gigantic, magical bird.Did Solomon actually speak to me? Sarapondered. Or did I only imagine it? Maybe I wasdazed from falling. Maybe I was unconsciousand dreamed it. Or did it happen?

Sara could hardly wait to go to the thicket againto find out if Solomon was real.

When the last bell rang, Sara stopped by herlocker to deposit her books and then stuffed herbook bag on top of them. This may have been thesecond day ever that Sara didnt lug home all ofher books. She had discovered that an armloadof books seemed to protect her from any intrusiveclassmates. They somehow provided a barrierthat kept frivolous, playful intruders out of her way.But today, Sara didnt want anything to slow herdown. She shot out of the front doors like a bullet,heading straight for Thackers Trail.

As Sara left the paved street and started downthe trail, she saw a very large owl sitting in plainview on a fence post right out in the open. Italmost seemed as if he were waiting for her.

Sara was surprised to find Solomon so easily.She had spent so much time searching for thisillusive mystery bird, and now here he was, justsitting there as if hed always been right there.

Sara didnt know quite how to approachSolomon. What should I do? Sara thought. Itseems odd to just walk up to a big owl and say,Hello, how are you today?

Hello, how are you today? the big owl said toSara.

Sara jumped back about a foot. Solomonlaughed heartily. I didnt mean to startle you,Sara. How are you today?

Im fine, thank you. Im just not used to talkingto owls, thats all.

Oh, thats too bad, Solomon said. Some of myvery best friends are owls.

Sara laughed. Solomon, youre funny.Solomon, hmmmm, the owl said. Solomon is

a nice name. Yes, I think I like it.Sara blushed with embarrassment. She had

forgotten that they had never really been

introduced. Jason had told Sara the owl wasnamed Solomon. But Billys father had chosenthat name. Oh, Im very sorry, Sara said. Ishould have asked you your name.

Well, Ive never actually thought about that,the owl said. Solomon is a nice name however. Ido like that.

What do you mean, youve never thought aboutit? Dont you have a name?

No, not really, the owl replied.Sara couldnt believe her ears. How can you

not have a name?Well, you see, Sara, only people need labels

to identify things. The rest of us just seem toknow who we are, and the labels are not thatimportant to us. But I do like the name Solomon.And since youre accustomed to calling othersby name, that one will do nicely for me. Yes, I dolike that name. Solomon, it is.

Solomon seemed so pleased with his newname that Saras embarrassment went away.Name or no name, this bird was certainly

pleasant to talk with.Solomon, do you think I should tell anybody

about you?Perhaps. In time.

But you think I should keep you a secret fornow, right?

Thats best for a while. Until you figure out

what you would say.Oh, yeah, I guess I would sound pretty silly.

Ive got this owl friend who talks to me withoutmoving his lips.

And I might wisely point out to you, Sara, thatowls do not have lips.

Sara laughed. This was a very funny bird. Oh,Solomon, you know what I mean. How do you talkwithout using your mouth? And how come Ivenever heard anybody else around here talkingabout you?

No one else around here has ever heard me.Its not the sound of my voice youre hearing,Sara. Youre receiving my thoughts.

I dont understand. I can hear you!Well, it seems like youre hearing me, and,

truly, you are, but not with your ears. Not in theway you hear some other things.

Sara pulled her scarf up around her neck andpulled her stocking cap down over her ears, as ablast of cold wind swept around her.

It will be dark soon, Sara. We can visit more

tomorrow. Think about what we talkedabout.While you are dreaming tonight, noticethat you can see. Even though your eyes will beclosed tight, you will see in your dreams.

So, if you do not need your eyes to see,you also do not need your ears to hear.

Before Sara could point out that dreams aredifferent from real life, Solomon said, Good-bye,Sara. Isnt this a lovely day? And with that,Solomon leaped into the air, and pulling with hispowerful wings, he rose high above the thicketand his fence post and his tiny friend below.

Solomon, Sara thought, youre gigantic!Sara remembered Jasons words: Hes

gigantic, Sara, you have to come and see him!As she made her way home through the snow,she remembered how he nearly dragged Sara tothe thicket, literally running with excitement,making it hard for Sara to keep up with him.

Strange, Sara pondered, he was so intenseabout me seeing this gigantic bird, and now, inthree days, he has not said one word about it. Imsurprised that he and Billy have not been outhere every single day looking for Solomon. Itsas though he has forgotten all about it. Ill haveto remember to ask Solomon about thattomorrow.

Over the next few days, Sara often foundherself saying, Ill have to ask Solomon aboutthat. In fact, she had started to carry a littlenotebook in her pocket so she could make notesabout the subjects she wanted to discuss.

It seemed that there was never enough time totalk to Solomon about all the things she wanted toask him about. The narrow window of time

between school ending and Sara needing to behome to complete her after-school chores beforeher mother came home from work was little morethan 30 minutes.

Its not fair, Sara had begun to think. I spend allday with boring teachers who arent one-tenth assmart as Solomon, and a measly half hour withthe smartest teacher Ive ever had. Hmm,teacher. I have an owl for a teacher. That madeSara laugh right out loud.

Ill have to ask Solomon about that.

CHAPTER 8

Solomon, are you a teacher?Yes, indeed, Sara.But you dont talk about things that real

teachers, excuse me, other teachers talk about. Imean, you talk about things that Im interested in.You talk about neat stuff.

Actually, Sara, I talk only about that which youtalk about. Only when you ask a question is theinformation that I might offer of any value to you.All of those answers that are offered without aquestion having been asked are truly a waste ofeveryones time. Neither student nor teacher hasmuch fun in that.

Sara thought about what Solomon had said,and she realized that unless Sara asked about it,Solomon didnt talk much about anything. Butwait, Solomon. I remember something you saidwithout my asking a question.

And what was that, Sara?You said, Have you forgotten that you cannot

drown? It was the very first thing you said to me,Solomon. I didnt say a word to you. I was lyingthere on the ice, but I wasnt asking you aquestion.

Ah, it seems that Solomon is not the only onearound here who can talk without moving hislips.

What do you mean?You were asking, Sara, but not with words.

Questions are not always asked with words.Thats weird, Solomon. How can you ask

something if youre not talking?By thinking your question. Many beings and

creatures communicate through thought. In fact,more communicate that way than with words.People are the only ones who use words. Buteven they do much more of theircommunicating with thoughts than with words.Think about it.

You see, Sara, I am a wiiiiiiiiise old teacherwhooooooo learned long ago that giving astudent information that he or she is not askingfor is a waste of time.

Sara laughed at Solomons corny emphasis on

wise and his owl-like exaggerated whooooo. Ilove this crazy bird, Sara thought.

I love you too, Sara, Solomon replied.Sara blushed, having forgotten already that

Solomon could hear her thoughts.And then, with no further words, Solomon lifted

powerfully into the sky and was gone from Sarasview.

CHAPTER 9

Iwish I could fly like you, Solomon.Why, Sara? Why would you like to fly?Oh, Solomon, its so boring to have to walk

around down here on the ground all the time. Itsso slow. It just takes forever to get places, andyou cant see much either. Only stuff thats downhere on the ground with you. Boring stuff.

Well, Sara, it seems like you havent reallyanswered my question.

Yes, I did, Solomon. I said I want to fly because. . .

Because you dont like to walk around downhere on the boring ground. You see, Sara, youdidnt tell me why you want to fly. You told mewhy you dont want not to fly.

Theres a difference?Oh yes, Sara. A big difference. Try again.A little surprised at Solomons new decision to

nitpick, Sara began again. Okay. I want to flybecause walking isnt much fun, and it takes so

long to walk around down here on the ground.Sara, can you see that youre still talking more

about what you dont want and why you dont wantit? Try again.

Okay. I want to fly because . . . I dont get this,Solomon. What do you want me to say?

I want you to talk about what you do want,Sara.

I want to fly! Sara shouted, feeling annoyed atSolomons inability to understand her.

Now, Sara, tell me why you want to fly. Whatwould that be like? How would it feel? Make itfeel real to me, Sara. Describe to me, what doesflying feel like? I dont want you to tell me whatits like down on the ground, or what it is like notto fly. I want you to tell me what its like to fly.

Sara closed her eyes, now catching the spirit ofwhat Solomon was getting at, and began tospeak. Flying feels very free, Solomon. Its likefloating, but faster.

Tell me, what would you see if you wereflying?

I would see the whole town down below. Iwould see Main Street and cars moving and

people walking. I would see the river. I would seemy school.

How does flying feel, Sara? Describe what itfeels like to fly.

Sara paused with her eyes closed andpretended that she was flying high above hertown. It would be so much fun, Solomon! Flyingjust has to be so much fun. I could soar as fast asthe wind. It would feel so free. It feels so good,Solomon! Sara continued, now completelyabsorbed in her imagined vision. And then,suddenly, with the same sense of power that Sarahad felt in Solomons wings as she had seen himlift off his post day after day, Sara felt a whooshwithin her that took her breath away. Her body felt,for a moment, as if it weighed 10,000 pounds,and then, instantly, she felt absolutely weightless.Sara was flying.

Solomon, Sara squealed with delight, look atme, Im flying!

Solomon was flying right along with her, andtogether they soared high above Saras town, thetown where Sara was born, the town that Sarahad walked nearly every square inch of, the townthat Sara was now discovering from a vantagepoint she had never dreamed possible.

Wow! Solomon, this is great! Oh, Solomon, Ilove this!

Solomon smiled and enjoyed Sarasextraordinary enthusiasm.

Where are we going, Solomon?You may go wherever youd like to go.Oh, wow! Sara blurted, looking down at her

quiet little town. It had never looked so beautifulbefore.

Sara had seen her town from the air once whenher uncle had taken Sara and her family up in hissmall airplane, but she hadnt really been able tosee much. The windows in the airplane were sohigh, and every time she got up on her knees toget her face closer to the window for a betterview, her father had told her to sit back down andbuckle her seat belt. She really didnt have muchfun that day.

But this was very different. She could see

everything. She could see every street andbuilding in her town. She could see the few tinybusinesses sprawled out along Main Street . . .Hoyts Grocery Store and Petes Drug Store andthe Post Office. . . . She could see her beautifulriver wind- ing its way through the town. And a fewcars were moving about, and a handful of peoplewere walking here and there.

Oh, Solomon, Sara said breathlessly, this isthe absolute best thing that has ever happened tome. Lets go to my school, Solomon. Ill show youwhere I spend my da . . . Saras voice trailed offas she sped off toward her school.

The school looks so different from up here!Sara was surprised at how large her schoollooked. The roof seemed like it went on forever.Wow! Sara exclaimed. Can we go downcloser, or do we have to stay way up here?

You may go wherever you want to go, Sara.Sara squealed once again and swooped down

over the playground and slowly past herclassroom window. This is great! Look,Solomon! You can see my desk, and theres Mr.Jorgensen.

Sara and Solomon soared from one end of

Saras town to the other, swooping down close tothe ground and then soaring back up, almosttouching the clouds. Look, Solomon, theresJason and Billy.

Hey, Jason, look at me, Im flying! Sarashouted. But Jason didnt hear. Hey, Jason!Sara shouted again, more loudly. Look at me!Im flying!

Jason cannot hear you, Sara.But why not? I can hear him.Its too soon for Jason, Sara. Hes not asking

yet. But he will. In time.Now Sara understood more clearly why Jason

and Billy hadnt spotted Solomon yet. They cantsee you either, can they, Solomon?

Sara was glad that Jason and Billy couldnt seeSolomon. They would really get in the way, ifthey could, she thought.

Sara couldnt ever remember having a morewonderful time. She soared high into the sky, sohigh that the cars on Main Street looked like littleants moving about. And then, with what felt like noeffort at all, she would swoop way down, veryclose to the ground, squealing as she felt the

amazing speed of her flight. She swooped downright over the river with her face so close to thewater that she could smell the sweet mossy scent,ducked right under the Main Street bridge, andthen zoomed out the other side. Solomon keptperfect pace with her, as if they had practiced thisflight hundreds of times.

They soared for what seemed like hours, andthen, with the same powerful whoosh that sentSara soaring upward, she was back in her body,and back on the ground.

Sara was so excited that she could barelycatch her breath. This had truly been the mostexceptional experience of her life. Oh, Solomon,that was wonderful! Sara squealed. It felt to heras if they had been flying for hours.

What time is it? Sara blurted, looking at herwatch, certain that she would be in big trouble forbeing so tardy today, but her watch showed thatonly a few seconds had passed.

Solomon, you live a very strange life, youknow? Nothing is quite the way its supposed tobe.

What do you mean, Sara?Well, like, we can go flying all around town,

and no time passes. Dont you find that strange?And like me being able to see you and talk to you,but Jason and Billy cannot see you or talk to you.Dont you find that strange?

If their wanting were strong enough, theycould, Sara, or if my wanting were strongenough, I could influence their wanting.

What do you mean?It was their enthusiasm for something they

hadnt actually seen that brought you to mythicket. They were a very important link in theunfolding of our meeting.

Yeah, I guess. Sara didnt really want to giveher little brother the credit for this extraordinaryexperience. She was more comfortable lettinghim keep his position as a thorn in her side. But akey to her joyful enlightenment? That was toomuch of a stretch just yet.

So, Sara, tell me, what you have learnedtoday? Solomon smiled.

Ive learned that I can fly all over town and notime will pass? Sara stated questioningly,wondering if that was what Solomon wanted tohear. Ive learned that Jason and Billy cant hearme or see me when I fly, because theyre too

me or see me when I fly, because theyre tooyoung, or not ready? Ive learned that it isnt coldat all up there when you fly?

That is all very good, and we can talk all aboutthat later, but, Sara, did you notice, that as longas you were talking about what you didnt want,that you couldnt get what you did want? Butwhen you began talking about what you did wanteven more important, when you were able tobegin feeling what you did wantthen it cameinstantly?

Sara was quiet, trying to remember back. But itwasnt easy to think about anything that she wasthinking or feeling before she was flying. Shewould much rather think about the flying part.

Sara, ponder this as often as you can, andpractice it as much as you can.

You want me to practice flying? All right!Not just flying, Sara. I want you to practice

thinking about what you do want, andthinking about why you want what you wantuntil youre able to really feel it. That is themost important thing youll learn from me, Sara.Have fun with this.

And with that, Solomon was up and away.

This is the best day of my life! Sara thought.Today, I learned to fly!

CHAPTER 10

Hey, baby, do you still wet the bed at night?Sara felt angry as she watched them mocking

Donald. Too shy to interfere, she tried to lookaway and not notice what was going on.

They think theyre so smart, Sara murmuredunder her breath. Theyre just plain mean.

A couple too cool to be alive boys from herclassroom, who were almost always seentogether, were making fun of Donald, a new boy,who had only been in the classroom a couple of

days. His family had just moved into town andwas renting the old run-down house at the end ofthe street that Sara lived on. The house had beenempty for months, and Saras mother was happyto see someone finally moving in. Sara hadnoticed the rickety old truck being unloaded andhad wondered if the little bit of broken-downfurniture was really all that they had.

Its hard enough to be new in town and notknow anyone, but to have these bullies picking onhim already, well, that was just too much.Standing there in the hallway, watching Lynn andTommy deliberately making Donald feel bad,Saras eyes filled with tears. She rememberedthe outburst of laughter in her classroomyesterday when Donald was asked to stand to beintroduced to his new classmates, and when hestood up he was clasping a bright red plasticpencil box. Sara admitted it wasnt the coolestthing to domore appropriate for kids her littlebrothers age, but she certainly didnt believe thatit deserved this kind of humiliation.

Sara realized that that had been the criticalturning point for Donald. Had he been able to

handle that first moment differently, perhapsstanding bravely and grinning back, not caringwhat the rotten class thought about him, maybethings could have gotten off on a different foot.But that wasnt to be. For Donald, embarrassedand truly frightened, slumped into his chair, bitinghis lip. Saras teacher had reprimanded theclass, but that really made no difference at all.The class didnt seem to care what Mr.Jorgensen thought of them, but Donald surely didcare what the class thought of him.

When he left the classroom yesterday, Sarahad seen him drop his bright new pencil holderinto the wastebasket by the door. Once Donaldwas out of sight, Sara had retrieved his ill-chosentrinket and had stuffed it into her school bag.

Sara watched as Tommy and Lynn went downthe hallway. She listened to hear them clumpingdown the stairs. She could see Donald in front ofhis locker, just standing there, staring into it, as ifthere must be something in there that would makethings better somehow, or as if he would like tocrawl into the locker and avoid what was out here.Sara felt sick to her stomach. She didnt know

what to do, but she wanted to do something tomake Donald feel better. After looking down thehallway to make sure the bullies were really gone,she pulled the red box from her bag and hurriedtoward Donald, who was now fussing around withhis books, in an ill-at-ease attempt to regain hiscomposure.

Hey, Donald, I saw you drop this yesterday,Sara said simply. I think its neat. I think youshould keep it.

No, I dont want it! Donald snapped back.Shocked, Sara stepped back and mentally

tried to regain her balance.If you think its so neat, you keep it! Donald

shouted at Sara.Quickly stuffing it back into her bag, hoping no

one had seen or heard this embarrassingexchange, Sara hurried into the school yard andheaded home.

Why dont I stay out of things? Sara scoldedherself. Why dont I learn?

CHAPTER 11

Solomon, why are people so mean? Sarapleaded.

Are all people mean, Sara? I hadnt noticed.Well, not all of them, but lots of them are, and I

dont understand why. When Im mean, I feelawful.

When are you mean, Sara?Mostly when someone is mean first. I think I

sort of just get mean to pay them back.Does that help?Yes, Sara offered defensively.

How so, Sara? Does paying them back makeyou feel better? Does it turn things around, ortake any meanness back?

Well, no, I guess not.In fact, Sara, what I have seen is that it just

adds more meanness to the world. Its a bit likejoining their chain-of-pain. They are hurting, andthen youre hurting, and then you help someoneto hurt, and on and on it goes.

But Solomon, who started this awful chain-of-

pain?It doesnt really matter where it started, Sara.

But it is important what you do with it if it comesto you. What is this all about, Sara? What hascaused you to join this chain-of-pain?

Sara, feeling rather sick to her stomach, toldSolomon about the new boy, Donald, and of hisfirst day in class. She told Solomon about thebullies who seemed to find never-ending things totease Donald about. She told Solomon about thealarming incident that had just taken place in thehallway. And as she relived what had happend,as she was describing them to Solomon she felther painful anger growing again, and a tearpushed out of her eye and rolled down her cheek.She angrily wiped it away with the back of hersleeve, truly irritated that instead of her usualhappy chatter with Solomon, she was nowsniffling and blubbering. This wasnt the way itwas supposed to be with Solomon.

Solomon was quiet for a long while asscattered, disconnected thoughts shot aboutSaras mind. Sara could feel Solomon watching

her with his big loving eyes, but she didnt feelself-conscious. It almost felt as if Solomon wasdrawing something out of her.

Well, its clear what I dont want, Sara thought. Idont want to feel like this. Especially when Imtalking with Solomon.

Thats very good, Sara. You have just,consciously, taken the first step in ending thechain-of-pain. You have consciously recognizedwhat you do not want.

And thats good? Sara questioned. It doesntfeel so good.

Thats only because you have only taken thefirst step, Sara. There are three more.

What is the next step, Solomon?Well, Sara, it isnt hard to figure out what you

dont want. Do you agree with that?Yes, I guess I do. I mean, I think I usually know

that.How do you know that youre thinking about

what you dont want?I can just sorta tell.

You can tell by the way you feel, Sara. Whenyoure thinking about, or speaking about,something that you dont wantyou always feelnegative emotion. You feel anger ordisappointment or embarrassment or guilt orfear. You always feel bad when youre thinkingabout something you dont want.

Sara thought back over the last few days,during which she had experienced more negativeemotion than usual. Youre right, Solomon, Saraannounced. Ive been feeling more of that thislast week, watching those boys being mean toDonald. Ive been so happy since meeting you,Solomon, and then so mad about them teasingDonald. I can see how the way I feel has to dowith what Im thinking about.

Good, Sara. Now, lets talk about step two.Whenever you know what you dont want, isnt itrather easy to figure out what you do want?

Well . . . Sara trailed off, wanting tounderstand, but still unsure.

When youre sick, what is it that you want?I want to feel better, Sara replied easily.

When you dont have enough money to buysomething that you want, then what do you want?

I want more money, Sara replied.You see, Sara, that is step two of breaking the

chain-of-pain. Step one is recognizing what youdont want. Step two is then deciding what youdo want.

Well, thats easy enough. Sara was beginningto feel better.

Step three is the most important step, Sara,and its the step that most people missaltogether. Step three is this: Once you haveidentified what it is that you do want, you mustmake that feel real. You must talk about why youwant it, describe what it would be like to have it,explain it, pretend it, or remember another timelike itbut keep thinking about it until you findthat feeling place. Continue to talk to yourselfabout what it is that you do want until you feelgood.

As Sara listened to Solomon actuallyencouraging her to spend time, on purpose,imagining things in her own mind, she could

hardly believe her ears. Shed gotten into serioustrouble for that very thing on more than oneoccasion. It seemed that what Solomon wastelling her was exactly opposite of what herteachers in school were telling her. But she hadcome to trust Solomon. And she was certainlywilling to try something different. Their way,obviously, wasnt working.

Why is step three the most important step,Solomon?

Because, until you change the way you feel,you havent really changed anything. Youre stillpart of the chain-of-pain. But when you changethe way you feel, youre part of a different chain.You have joined Solomons chain, so to speak.

What do you call your chain, Solomon?Well, I dont really call it anything. Its more

about feeling it. But you might call it the Chain-of-Joy, or the Chain-of-Well-being. The Chain-of-Feeling-Good. Its the natural chain, Sara. It istruly who we all are.

Well, if its natural, if its who we all are, whyarent more of us feeling good more of the time?

People truly want to feel good, and mostpeople want, very much, to be good. And that isa big part of the problem.

What do you mean? How can wanting to begood be a problem?

Well, Sara, people want to be good, so theylook around them at the way others are living inorder to decide what is good. They look at theconditions that surround them, and they seethings that they believe are good, and they seethings that they believe are bad.

And thats bad? I dont see whats bad aboutthat, Solomon.

What Ive noticed, Sara, is that as theyrelooking at conditions, good ones and bad ones,most people arent aware of how they are feeling.And that is what goes wrong for most of them.Rather than being aware of how what they arelooking at is affecting them, in their quest forgoodness, they keep searching out badnessand trying to push that away. The trouble withthat, Sara, is that the whole time theyre trying topush away what they think is badthey have

push away what they think is badthey havejoined the chain-of-pain. People are much moreinterested in looking at and analyzing andcomparing conditions than they are aware ofhow they are feeling. And often the conditiondrags them right off into the chain-of-pain.

Sara, think back over the past few days, andtry to remember some of the strong feelings thatyou had. What was happening as you werefeeling bad this week, Sara?

I felt awful when Tommy and Lynn were teasingDonald. I felt awful when the kids laughed atDonald in class, and I felt the very worst of allwhen Donald yelled at me. All I was trying to dowas help him, Solomon.

Good, Sara. Lets talk about this. During thosetimes that you were feeling so bad, what wereyou doing?

I dont know, Solomon. I wasnt really doinganything. I was mostly just watching, I guess.

That is exactly right, Sara. You wereobserving conditions but the conditions thatyou were choosing to observe were the kind that

make you join the chain-of-pain.But Solomon, Sara argued, how can you not

see something thats wrong and not feel badwhen you see it?

Thats a very good question, Sara, and Ipromise you that in time I will answer it fully foryou. I know that its not easy to understand thisall at once. And the reason that its difficult tounderstand at first is because you have beentrained to observe conditions, but you have notbeen trained to pay attention to how you feelwhen youre observingand so, the conditionsseem to control your lives. If youre observingsomething good, you have a good feelingresponse, and if youre observing somethingbad, you have a bad feeling response. Whenthe conditions seem to control your lives, that isfrustrating for most of you, and that is whatcauses so many people to continue to join thechain-of-pain.

Then, how can I stay out of the chain-of-pain sothat I can help someone else out if they get in?

Well, Sara, there are lots of ways to do that.

But my favoritethe one that works the veryfastest of allis this: Think thoughts ofappreciation.

Appreciation?Yes, Sara, focus onYes, Sara, focus on something, or someone,

and try to find thoughts that make you feel thevery best. Appreciate them just as much as youcan. That is the very best way to join the Chain-of-Joy.

Remember, step one is?

Knowing what I dont want, Sara answeredproudly.

She had that one down pat.And step two is?Knowing what I do want.Thats very good, Sara. And step three is?Oh, Solomon, I forget, Sara whined,

disappointed at herself for forgetting so soon.Step three is finding the feeling place of

what you do want. Talking about what you dowant until you feel like youre already there.

Solomon, you never told me what step four is,Sara remembered, excitedly.

Ah, step four is the best part, Sara. That iswhen you get what you want. Step four is thephysical manifestation of your desire.

Have fun with this, Sara. Dont try too hard toremember all of this. Just practiceappreciation. Thats the key. Youd better runalong now, Sara. We can talk more about thistomorrow.

Appreciation, Sara pondered. I will try to think

of things to appreciate. Her little brother, Jason,was the first image that came to her mind. Boy,this is going to be hard, Sara thought, as shebegan walking from Solomons thicket.

Start with something easier! Solomon calledas he lifted from his post.

Yeah, right. Sara laughed. I love you,Solomon, she thought.

I love you too, Sara. Sara heard Solomonsvoice clearly, even though he had flown far fromher view.

CHAPTER 12

Something easy, Sara thought, I want toappreciate something easy.

From a distance, Sara could see her next-doorneighbors dog frolicking in the snow. He wasleaping and running, then rolling on his back,obviously happy to be alive.

Brownie, youre such a happy dog! I doappreciate you, Sara thought, still over 200 yardsaway. At that moment, Brownie began runningtoward Sara as if she were his master and hadcalled his name. Wagging his tail, he ran two fullcircles around Sara, and then, with his paws onher shoulders, this large, mangy, long-haired dogpushed Sara into a sitting position into the pile of

snow that was left by the snowplow earlier thatweekand he licked her face with his warm, wettongue. Sara was laughing so hard she couldbarely get up. Oh, you love me, too, do you,Brownie?

Sara lay in her bed that night thinking abouteverything that had happened that week. I feellike Ive been on a roller coaster. Ive felt the bestI have ever felt and the worst I have ever felt, allin one short week. I love my talks with Solomon,and, oh, how I loved learning to fly, but I got somad this week, too. This is all very strange.

Think thoughts of appreciation. Sara couldhave sworn she heard Solomons voice in herbedroom.

No, that cannot be, Sara decided. Im justremembering what Solomon said. And with that,Sara rolled over onto her side, to ponder. Iappreciate this nice warm bed, thats for sure,Sara thought, as she tugged the blankets up overher shoulders. And my pillow. My soft, snugglypillow. I do appreciate this, Sara thought,wrapping her arms around it and burying her facein it. I appreciate my mother and my father. AndJas . . . and Jason, too.

I dont know, Sara thought. I dont think Im

finding that feeling place. Maybe Im just tootired. Ill work on this tomorrow. And with that lastconscious thought, Sara was sound asleep.

Im flying again! Im flying again! Sarashouted, as she soared high above her house.Flying isnt exactly the best word for this, shethought. More like floating. I can go anywhere Iwant to go!

With no effort at all, but just by identifying whereshe wanted to be, Sara moved easily across thesky, pausing now and then to examine somethingshe hadnt noticed before, sometimes swoopingvery close to the ground, and then lifting back upagain. Up! Up! Up! She discovered that if shewanted to go down, all she had to do was stretchone toe toward the ground, and down she wouldgo. When she was ready to go back up again,she just looked upward, and up she would go.

I want to fly forever and ever! Sara decided.Lets see, Sara puzzled, where should I go

now? Sara moved along, way up over her littletown, seeing lights blinking off, here and there, asfamily after family, house after house, settled infor the night. It was beginning to snow very lightly,and Sara thrilled at how warm and secure shefelt, floating about in the middle of the night in her

bare feet and flannel nightgown. Its not cold atall, Sara noticed.

Nearly every house was dark now, and only thetowns sparsely placed street lights were glowing,but on the far side of town, Sara could see onehouse still lit up. And so, she decided to go thereto see who was still awake. Probably somebodywho doesnt have to get up early in the morning,Sara thought, getting closer, and stretching herleft toe downward, causing a perfect and rapiddescent.

She dropped down to a small kitchen window,glad that the curtains were open so she couldpeek inside. And there, sitting at the kitchentable, with papers spread all over the place, wasMr. Jorgensen, Saras teacher. Mr. Jorgensenwas methodically picking up one paper, readingit, then another, then another. Sara was transfixedas she watched him. He seemed to be so seriousabout whatever he was doing.

Sara began to feel a little bit guilty, spying on

her teacher like this. But at least this is thekitchen window, Sara noted, not the bathroom orbedroom, or something private like that.

Now Mr. Jorgensen was smiling, seeming toreally enjoy whatever he was reading. Now hewas writing something on it. And then, suddenly,Sara realized what Mr. Jorgensen was doing. Hewas reading the papers Saras class had turnedin at the end of the day. He was reading everysingle one of them.

Sara had often found something scrawled onthe top or the back of the papers he had returnedto her, and she had never appreciated it much.You just cant please him, Sara had thoughtmany times as she read his scribbled notes onher papers.

But watching this man, reading, then writing,reading and then writing, while almost everyoneelse in town was now fast asleep, left Sara feelingvery strange. She felt almost dizzy as her oldnegative perspective of Mr. Jorgensen and hervery new perspective of Mr. Jorgensen had a sortof collision inside her head. Wow! Sara said, asshe looked upward, causing her little body tozoom up high above her teachers house.

A warm gust of wind seemed to come from

inside Sara, wrapping all around her body andgiving her goose bumps on her skin. Her eyesfilled with tears, and her heart leaped a happybeat and she soared, ever so high, into the sky,looking down upon her beautiful, sleeping, oralmost-sleeping, town.

I feel appreciation for you, Mr. Jorgensen,Sara thought as she made one last swoop overhis house and headed home. And as Saralooked back at Mr. Jorgensens kitchen window,she felt sure that she saw him standing there,looking out.

CHAPTER 13

Hi, Mr. Matson, Sara heard her own voice ringout as she crossed the Main Street bridge on herway to school.

Mr. Matson looked up from under the hood ofthe car he was working on. He had seen Sara onher way to school hundreds of morningsthroughout the years that he had operated thetowns one and only gas station on the corner ofMain Street and Center Street, but she had nevercalled out to him that way before. He really didntknow quite how to respond, so he waved a sort ofhalf wave in his surprise. In fact, most people whoknew Sara were beginning to notice startlingdifferences in her usually introverted behavior.Instead of looking down, watching her feet, andbeing deep in her own thoughts, Sara wasstrangely interested in her mountain town,unusually observant and amazingly interactive.

There are so many things to appreciate! Sara

was acknowledging quietly, under her breath. Thesnowplow has already cleared most of thestreets. Thats really a nice thing, Sara thought. Ido appreciate that.

She saw a utility truck in front of BergmansStore with its extension ladder extended all theway out. One man was at the very top of theladder, working on a power pole, while anotherman watched intently from down below. Sarawondered what they were doing, and decidedthey were probably repairing one of the powerlines that had become too heavy with icicles thatwere clinging to it. Thats really nice, Sarathought. Its so wonderful that these men are ableto keep our electricity working. I do appreciatethat.

A school bus filled with children rounded thecorner as Sara walked into the school yard. Saracouldnt see any of their faces because thewindows were all fogged up, but she was veryfamiliar with the routine: The bus driver, who hadbeen gathering his unwilling cargo from all overthe county since before dawn, was now releasing

about half of them at Saras school. He wouldunload the other half at Saras old school down onMain Street. That is a nice thing that the busdriver does, Sara thought. I really do appreciatethat.

Sara took off her heavy coat as she walkedinside the school building, noticing howcomfortably warm it felt inside. I do appreciatethis building, the furnace that keeps it warm, andthe janitor who tends the furnace. Sheremembered watching him shoveling chunks ofcoal into the bin that would feed the fire for a fewmore hours, and she had seen him removing thebig red clinkers from the furnace. I appreciate thisjanitor who does his job to keep us warm.

Sara was feeling wonderful. Im really catchingon to this appreciation stuff, she thought. Iwonder why I hadnt figured this out sooner. Thisis great!

Hey, Baby Face! Sara heard a contrivedwhiny voice taunting someone. The words felt soawful that Sara winced as she heard them. It was

shocking to come from a place of feeling soooowonderful to this sickening realization thatsomeone was picking on someone.

Oh, no, Sara thought, not Donald again. Butsure enough, the same two bullies were at itagain. They had Donald cornered in the hallway.His body was pressed up against his locker, andSara could see Lynns and Tommys grinningfaces only inches from his.

Suddenly, Sara wasnt shy at all. Why dontyou goons find someone your own size to pickon? Well, that wasnt exactly what Sara meant tosay, since Donald was actually quite a bit tallerthan either of them, but the confidence that theyseemed to gather from always running in packs,left Donald, or whoever they were picking on atthe moment, at a seeming disadvantage.

Oh, Donalds got a girlfriend, Donalds got agirlfriend, the boys chanted in unison. Sarasface flushed red with embarrassment and thenredder with anger.

The boys laughed and moved on down thehallway, leaving Sara standing there, flushed and

feeling very hot and uncomfortable.

I dont need you to stick up for me! Donaldshouted, again blasting Sara to conceal his tearsof embarrassment.

Good grief, Sara thought. Im doing it again. Ijust dont learn.

Well, Donald, Sara thought, I appreciate you,too. You have, once again, helped me to realizethat I am an idiot. An idiot who does not learn.

CHAPTER 14

Hi, Solomon, Sara offered flatly, hanging herbook bag over the post next to the owls post.

Good day, Sara. Its a beautiful day. Do youagree?

Yes, I guess it is. Sara replied blankly, notreally noticing, or even caring, that the sun wasshining brightly again. Sara loosened her neckscarf and tugged it from around her neck, stuffingit into her pocket.

Solomon waited quietly for Sara to gather herthoughts and begin her usual barrage ofquestions, but Sara was unusually sullen today.

Solomon, Sara began, I dont get it.What is it that you do not understand, Sara?I dont understand what good it does anybody

for me to go around appreciating things. I mean, Ireally dont see what good its doing.

What do you mean, Sara?

Well, I mean, I was getting pretty good at it. Ivebeen practicing it all week. At first it was prettyhard, but then it got easier. And today, I wasappreciating just about everything until I got toschool and heard Lynn and Tommy picking onpoor Donald, again.

Then what happened?Then I got mad. I got so mad I yelled at them. I

just wanted them to leave Donald alone so that hecan be happy. But I did it again, Solomon. I joinedtheir chain-of-pain. I havent learned anything. Ijust hate those boys, Solomon. I think theyreawful.

Why do you hate them?Because they ruined my perfect day. Today I

was going to appreciate things. When I woke upthis morning, I appreciated my bed and then mybreakfast, and my mother and father, and evenJason. And all the way to school I found so manythings to appreciate, and then they ruined it,Solomon. They made me feel awful again. Likebefore. Just like before I learned how toappreciate.

Its no wonder youre mad at them, Sara, foryoure in a terrible trap. In fact, that is just aboutthe worst trap in the world.

Sara didnt much like the sound of that. Shedseen enough of Jason and Billys homemadetraps, and had freed many little mice andsquirrels and birds that they had gleefullycaptured. The idea of someone putting her in atrap made Sara feel awful. What do you mean,Solomon? What trap?

Well, Sara, when your happiness depends onwhat somebody else does or does not do, youretrapped, because you cannot control what theythink or what they do. But, Sara, you will discovertrue liberationa freedom beyond your wildestdreamswhen you discover that your joy doesnot depend on anyone else. Your joy onlydepends on what you choose to give yourattention to.

Sara listened quietly with tears running downher pink cheeks.

You feel trapped right now because you dontsee how you could respond differently to whatyou saw happen. As you witness something thatmakes you feel uncomfortable, youreresponding to those conditions. And you thinkthat the only way you can feel better is if theconditions are better. And since you cannotcontrol the conditions, you feel trapped.

Sara wiped her face with her sleeve. She feltvery uncomfortable. Solomon was right. She didfeel trapped. And she wanted to be free of thetrap.

Sara, just keep working on appreciatingandyoull begin to feel better. Well sort this out alittle bit at a time. Youll see. This will not bedifficult for you to understand. Keep having fun.Well talk more tomorrow. Sleep well.

CHAPTER 15

Solomon was right. Things did seem to just getbetter and better. In fact, the next few weeks werethe best that Sara could ever remember.Everything seemed to be going so well. Theschool days seemed to be getting shorter andshorter, and to Saras surprise, she was actuallybeginning to like school. But Solomon continuedto be the very best part of Saras day.

Solomon, Sara said, Im so glad that I foundyou here in this thicket. Youre my best friend.

Im glad, too, Sara. We are birds of a feather,you know?

Well, youre half right, anyway, Sara laughed,looking at Solomons beautiful coat of feathersand feeling that warm wind of appreciationflowing through her. She had heard her mothersay, Birds of a feather flock together, but shehad never thought much about what it meant, andshe certainly never expected that she would ever

find herself flocking with birds.What does that mean, anyway, Solomon?People use that expression to point out their

awareness that things that are like one anothercome together. That which is like unto itself isdrawn.

You mean, like robins stay together, and crowsstay together, and squirrels stay together?

Well, yes, like that. But really, all things thatare alike do that, Sara. But the likeness is notalways what you think it is. It is not usuallysomething obvious that you can see.

I dont understand, Solomon. If you cant see it,how do you know that they are alike or different?

You can feel it, Sara. But it takes practice, andbefore you can practice, you have to know whatyoure looking for, and since most people dontunderstand the basic rules, they dont know whatto look for.

Rules, like in rules of a game, Solomon?Yes, sort of like that. Actually, a better name

would be the Law of Attraction. The Law of

Attraction says: That which is like unto itselfis drawn.

Oh, I see. Sara brightened. Like birds of afeather flock together.

Thats it, Sara. And everyone and everythingin the entire Universe is affected by this Law.

I still dont really understand this, Solomon. Tellme more, please.

Tomorrow, as youre moving through your day,watch for the evidence of this Law. Keep youreyes and ears open, and, most important, payattention to the way that you feel as you observethings and people and animals and situationsaround you. Have fun with this, Sara. Well talkmore about it tomorrow.

Hmm, birds of a feather, flock together, Sarapondered. And as those words rolled across hermind, a large flock of geese flushed up from thepasture and flapped above Sa