The Flakefoot Falcon – Part 1

 

 

Once upon a time there lived a very special falcon named Frankie. He was from the rare breed of falcons called Flakefoots because the skin of their feet would always peel and itch like crazy. Like his Flakefoot forefeathers, Frankie had a proud face, sleek wings, and perfect eyes that could zoom in on a field mouse from a mile away. While up in the air, he was on top of the world, but as soon as he landed, all he could think about was his flakey feet, and he was so embarrassed. All of his strength, good looks, and abilities could not comfort him. In his mind, he thought all the other birds made fun of his yucky feet that left a trail of dead skin everywhere he went.

 

Frankie wanted desperately to be like any other bird – except for himself. One day he wrapped up his legs with leaves and vines to cover his flakey feet and set off to find really cool bird species to hang out with. The first set of birds he found were flamingos. They were so cool. He wanted to be just like them. Flamingos have long beautiful legs, fancy pink feathers, and hang out in huge groups. They love to have parties. What could be better than that?

 

He hung around the flamingos for a few hours and then he got hungry. He invited one of the flamingos to go and hunt for mice with him, but they looked at him like he was crazy and said “Ewww, mice? We don’t eat mice. We’re vegetarian.” Frankie was embarrassed. He soon realized these birds don’t eat like him and they don’t even know how to fly. He politely said goodbye and then went off by himself to think. He thought to himself, “I guess I don’t fit in with the Flamingos. Will I ever fit in with anyone? My flakey feet are so ugly. How can I ever be good enough when I’m so gross?”