by William Papas
Oxford University Press

They all lived together in a great, glorious forest.
All the birds of the air.
There were small birds and tall birds
and grumpy birds,
and happy birds,
and beautiful birds.
And none of them was more beautiful than Mr. Peaccock, or so they all said. His fantastic tail, glossy back and bright feathers made a sight magnificent to behold.

And who was the ugliest bird? Mrs. Owl, no doubt; with her podgy, fat figure, and big staring eyes, she was surely the ugliest of them all, so they said.

One day as Mrs. Owl was going to school, to take her child her lunch, she passed by Mr. Peackock's house.

Mr. Peacock said: "Where are you going, Mrs. Owl?"

"Oh, I'm off to school to take my child her lunch."

"Could you take my child his lunch too?" said Mr. Peacock.

"Very well," said Mrs. Owl,

"But how will I know which is your child?"

"Oh, laughed Mr. Peacock,

"Just look for the most beautiful child there and give it to him."

"Right, said Mrs. Owl, and off she waddled to school, carrying the two parcels.

She arrived just as the children had finished their lessons and were starting their play-time.

Mrs. Owl found her child,and gave her her lunch.

Then Mrs. Owl began to look for the most beautiful child in the playground. She looked at each bird carefully. She compared one with the other. She lined them all up and examined each one from every point of view. Eventually, after a long time, she returned home.

On the way, she met Mr. Peacock again.

"Ah, I see you delivered his lunch to my beautiful child. Did you find him easily? I'm sure you did."

"Well," said Mrs. Owl, "I arrived at school and gave my child her lunch, and then I did as you told me. I started looking for the most beautiful child there."

"Oh good", said Mr. Peacock, "so you did find my child."