Beware the redheaded wood warbler by James Gower                 It is said that everyone has a story . Well then here is one to chalk up to experience. John McDowell was an average run of the mill field guide analyst .Doing what he gets paid for,analyzing field guides for Illinois.Seems it was his passion to also do a little bird watching while on his rounds.this particular day it was a brisk autumn day the smell of fall in the air and the forrest was all alight with the colors of the change. "Just ahead it says there was a nest of a red headed wood warbler"talking to himself"I simply must see one it would be my crowning glory" easing through the small patch of thick under growth as not to disturb the small birds that he hoped were waiting just ahead. "Now would be the time for them to be settling in for winter" He said whispering to himself."Just a bit further..........." As he stepped through the under growth he found that Newton's theory was actually Newton's law,to every action was an equal and opposite reaction .In other words if one finds himself with no ground to stand he will undoubtly fall.So being the good scientific mind that he was he followed the theory and tumbled ass over turkey to the bottom of the ravine.unconsciousness was a blessing to ease the pain that wracked his body from the fall ."Dear me "sitting up with a strange astonished look on his face. Where was he, what time was it he pondered? He can hear from a distance the sounds of what seems to be an encampment.Following his ears he finds himself stumbling into a gypsy camp.He sees a young girl coming near and tries to speak. "Excuse me I seem to have had a bit of a fall and am in need of medical attention"he said speaking to the girl . She seemed to look right through him.She went and got a bucket of water and a pan and set it out near a over hanging tree and John followed. "Thank you miss,I am sorry I did not get your name." Seeming to be off in another world she said nothing.Lowering his head he felt foolish thinking he had been talking to maybe a mute or even a person of little mental aptitude. He places his hands in the water to wash the debris from them and lowering his face to wash it he thought I must be a fright to most.he did not take time to notice the strange feel of the water against his skin.feeling as though he could eat enough to feed a small army. He tried to speak to the girl once again"Pardon ,but I am rather hungry and I couldn't help smell the wonderful aroma of roasted foul,if I may ask ..I'd be willing to pay my way mind you ..." She gathered the bucket and pan and walked right past John. Thinking this must be the rudest child I have ever seen he followed her back to the camp. At the camp he over heard the elders talking. "Guido ,do you think she will pass the test?" said joseppi "She has her mothers will I think so this time she knows what is expected."Guido answers"She must remain silent even if approached and must help where she can and the gift will come." John deduced that Guido was what appeared to be the equivalent of a king and he guessed the girl was his daughter that would explain why she was not talking. Gathering around the fire plates were being served to all the men. Then Amelia stepped up and prepared a plate with plenty of food and she grabbed a bottle of wine and placed it on a log of wood near the fire. John took that to be for him and sat on the ground and began to feast.it was like he had never been fed before.the more he ate the more he wanted and it was like the plate was not even getting a dent in the amount.After gorging himself he lay back and listened to the talk and the music ,laughter and gaiety. after a bit he was drawn to a story that was being told at the fire. He sat up to hear all the details. Guido was the story teller for this clan and when he started all were quiet. "About ten years before the last war there was a thriving little town near here and this was a national park." Well one fellow came out here one day to try to see what we call our sacred bird the redheaded wood warbler and they say he found it.but he found that it was in its nest and we all know that in the nest that bird is to be left alone.cause they are the unholy ones them that take the spirits of the dead to hades. this guy must have fell in the nest and all them souls that was being held till the gate opened was waiting for him they found him he was all chewed up.and the only way they knew who he was ,he had his name sewed inside of his jacket ."guido paused for a minute. John was drawn into this story cause he had almost seen the nest of this bird feeling the chills go down his back a feeling of foreboding Guido spoke again"so when we are in this place and you hear the wailing sound from the wind you just say this aloud and it will send him back to the nest where them birds are waiting to take him to hades.....John Mcdowell they are waiting ,now you go on back....... . "Dear me "sitting up with a strange astonished look on his face .So if you find yourself walking in the woods and hear the wailing call of the wind well now you know what to do. The End © James Gower 07-02-02