Some Kids Are Rare Birds

At my job in daycare, it’s an Easter tradition to take the children (two and three year olds) to a nearby farm, have the parents come along if they can, go back to the daycare, let the children search for coloured eggs and then have a little Easter brunch with eggs and home-baked bread.

Of course, not all parents can always come along, and this year one of our classic runs-around-like-a-maniac-all-the-time is alone, so he’s assigned to me to keep an eye on.

He’s very chatty all the way to the farm, he loudly sings all the Easter songs he knows and can barely contain himself. I have to hold his hand the entire time. He RUNS to the chicken coop when I let go of his hand, opens one of the little doors, STICKS HIS ENTIRE HEAD IN BETWEEN THE CHICKENS, and starts cooing.

Boy: “Hello, Mrs. Toktok, hi there, Mrs. Yellowbeak, ooh, I sure love your feathers, Mrs. Tappyfeet. You ladies are all so lovely. Thanks for making all those eggs. Your home sure looks nice, I like all the sticks!”

He just goes on and on and on like that, being really gentle with the chickens like a total professional. The farmer instantly loves this little boy. The toddlers who are slightly intimidated at first look at him, and he tells them there’s nothing to be afraid of if you’re gentle and polite.

One by one, even the children who are scared get to pet the chickens and pick up some eggs. All the parents are absolutely melting. Later that day when he’s being picked up by his mother, she is very surprised.

Mother: “He’s never been to a farm, and so far, I’ve only seen him be very scared of animals, especially birds! I have no idea what happened!”

Boy: “But, mommy! These are EASTER BIRDS!”

I love my job so much.