The Adventures of Henri and Charlie

by Terry Aspinall

Henri and Charlie

  © Copyright 2012 by Terry Aspin all

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying) recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.

  ISBN : 9781476266947

  This book is available in print at most online retailers for more information please contact:

 

  www.terryaspinall.com

  Dedication

  I wrote this short story over 20 years ago with my future grandchildren in mind. Now in 2012 they are of a reading age, but times have changed to such an extent that children are all playing with Ipads, Iphones and other types of gadgets at such a young age that books are the last thing they want as a present. However, I still dedicate this book to all of them both here in Australia and in the UK..

  Contents

  Introduction

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Other Books by this Author

  Introduction

  I have always been a keen animal lover. And over the years have had an array of pets to keep me company. When I wrote this story I had a green Peach Face Parrot that I called Henri. He was very tame and went everywhere with me. Around the same time I also acquired a young Canary that I named Charlie, and he sang a beautiful song almost all day. Both were well loved by my family, but to me they were that little bit extra special, that I decide to write a short children's story about them for my future grand children.

  Chapter1

  Henri was a very well groomed green Peach Face Parrot, living in a large cage that was hanging alongside his friend Charlie the yellow Canary. Both cages hung under a pergola, so they were under cover from the weather, but outside so they could hear, see and enjoy all the wild birds that passed over or around the garden.

  Henri had been bought from the local pet shop at Paddy’s market alongside the Brisbane River, and was enjoying a life of luxury being treated with kindness and tamed by his new owners Terry and Emily. He had learnt to respond to his name when called and would sit on Terry's shoulder at every opportunity. He would spend most evenings nestling into the side of his neck and ear, while he watched the television.

  The back garden

  However, he was not so friendly with Emily and would only go to her on the few occasions when Terry was out of the house during the evening when he played in a Rock n Roll band. He knew she was friendly and that he could trust her, but was still a little wary of her.

  Charlie was a little nervous Canary not wanting to go to anybody who approached his cage, he preferred to sit on his perch and sing at the top of his voice at every opportunity.

  During the two years he had been a member of this household, he had become used to Terry and Emily but from a distance. He would approach the side of his cage whenever either of them came over to talk to him. However, he would move away if a finger was ever pushed though his cage bars to try and touch him. He knew and trusted them but only from a distance. Charlie had also been purchased from Paddy’s market, and was about the same age as Henri.

  This was a kind household for them, as birds in a cage in a human world they could not have wished for better owners. Terry and Emily were pet loving people, they had always loved animals, and over the years they'd had an array of pets. They had also been known to take in the odd stray, injured or sick animal that family members would turn up at the house with.

  Terry

  Henri had been purchased after the death of their favourite pet Chihuahua dog Buster. Buster had lived for almost twelve years, and upon his death they had both been devastated. They had vowed never to have another dog as a pet, not wanting to become attached and going through the heart ache and pain that comes with the loss of a family member.

  However these feelings did not take long to change, and one day Terry surprised Emily with Henri as a present. Over the next couple of years, due to Terry's constant handling and attention, Henri had befriended him.

  They all lived in a very nice low set house in the suburb of Wynnum West to the east of Brisbane City. The house had a Pergola area in the back garden, with lots of native trees and plants surrounding them, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The garden was visited daily by scores of wild birds, looking for food that Terry would leave out for them. Henri and Charlie’s cages both hung from the roof of the Pergola every day, so they could watch all the other birds feeding in the garden. However, at night they would be taken inside the house, away from the cold and the mosquitoes.

  Emily

  Watching all the local birds feeding in the garden, Henri always wondered where they all came from, and where they all went to at nights. Especially what was on the other side of that very high conifer hedge at the bottom of the garden, what secrets lay beyond?

  On many occasions while in the house at night, watching TV and sitting on Terry’s shoulder, Henri would make a couple of short flights around the house to try and stretch his wings. He felt safe and secretly hoped that Terry would not clip his wings again, as had happened when he was first introduced into the house hold.

  Terry and Emily

  One morning the cages were put outside, with the usual change of fresh food and water, as they were every morning. It was a type of ritual that you could set your watch by. However on this particular occasion it did not go as planned, Terry forgot to close Henri’s cage door securely. Then in a rush as they were late for work Terry and Emily rushed out of the house locking the front door behind them and drove off.

  At first Henri just pushed the door open of his cage and looked around. Eventually being inquisitive it got the better of him and he climbed out and started looking around, while making his way onto its roof. He was just playing about and feeling a little mischievous and inquisitive. However, after a time he started to get bored, so he flew down onto the Bar-B-Q table that was positioned under his cage. Suddenly Charlie, who had been watching Henri, called down to him asking what he was doing, adding that he was always up to mischief.

  Henri called back that he was just looking around. Charlie told him that he should be careful. Adding that those horrible crows sometimes come around here, and you know how cruel they can be. Henri acting the tough guy he thought he was replied that he was not scared of those stupid birds, feeling like he could handle any situation.

  With that Henri flew down onto the ground under the Pergola, and started to walk around. Wondering what lay beyond the twenty foot high hedge at the bottom of the garden. It was something that had always been in the back of his mind. What mysteries was it concealing?

  A few sparrows flew into the garden for their regular morning feed and landed beside Henri. One asked Henri who he was, and when he told him, they insisted to know why he was out of his cage. Henri was quick in telling him to mind his own business, not wanting to answer any more questions.

  Henri took off from the ground and flew up on to Charlie's cage and started to play with the door, and Charlie asked what he was doing. We are going to have a look beyond that hedge at the bottom of the garden Henri told him. Charlie sounded very nervous and replied that he was very worried in case Terry came home from work and what would he think if the cages where empty.

  Henri told him to stop worrying and that they would only be away for a few minutes just to have a look and see what lay beyond the hedge.

&n
bsp; After a bit of a struggle Henri managed to slide the door of Charlie's cage up. It was a good job that it was a little stiff, as it would not have stayed up. At first Charlie was a little nervous, and wasn't sure whether he should venture out of his cage or not. However, with Henri egging him on he finely hopped out. Almost immediately the two birds flew up to a branch of the tallest tree in the hedge, along the back of the garden.

  What greeted them was just amazing, there laid out before them was a whole new world, to be investigated or so Henri thought. After a few minutes Charlie had seen enough and only wanted to return to the safety of his cage. He tried to persuade Henri that they should return. However, Henri was having nothing to do with that suggestion; all he wanted to do was to explore further.

  Henri started to tease Charlie saying that he was scared, once again suggesting that they should fly a little further. Stubbornly Henri made it plain that he was not going to return to the cages just yet, but was in fact going to venture a little further with or without Charlie. Henri started to taunt Charlie calling him a coward, adding that it was okay they would be back before Terry returned from work. Reluctantly Charlie agreed to go just a little further, but adding that after a few more minutes they must return.

  With that Henri took off with Charlie following in close pursuit behind him. They were flying east towards the Wynnum sea front and the open sea although they did not know it. At this time of day there was no breeze coming in from the sea, as is usual in the late afternoons. In fact there was a light westerly breeze blowing from behind them, and it was pushing them a little faster than Henri had expected. By now the houses beneath them were whizzing past.

  They were covering more ground than Henri had expected, and very soon they became disorientated. Not knowing what direction they had come from or what direction they were going, because by now they had lost sight of their home.

  Beneath them was a large road going in the same direction, as the wind was blowing them. The road sides were a mass of purple blossoms, from the flowers of the large Jacaranda trees that were in full bloom at that time of the year.

  Unbeknown to them they were heading down the Wynnum Road, towards the sea front. Suddenly Henri shouted out to Charlie that he could see a mass of blue ahead of them, not knowing that it was Morton Bay and the sea they were looking at. This was all new to them, and Henri became even more inquisitive.

  The Wynnum Road

  Poor old Charlie dare not look. He was not only scared at what they had done, but by this time he was also starting to get tired. He had never exercised his wings to this extent in his cage, but he kept following Henri. He trusted Henri and looked up to him, believing that he knew what he was doing. Somehow he was hoping that Henri would lead him back to the safety of his cage.

  As they approached the sea Henri landed on a branch of a tree, as he too was feeling tired. Time to stop and look around he thought to work out where they were. Poor Charlie he was just about worn out and only just managed to grab hold of the branch that Henri was sitting on. His first word to Henri was WOW. He then went on to explain that he had only just made it. Henri told him not to worry; he'd work something out and look after him. Adding they should enjoy their freedom while they can, and not to worry as they would be back at the house before Terry and Emily. Although deep inside he had not got a clue how they were going to achieve it. It was time to look around, and to have a good look at this new world they had suddenly discovered and found themselves in.

  This was all new to them, as far as the eye could see there was a beautiful blue Ocean and in the distance some islands. The waterfront area was very green, with lots of trees and grass. With several people walking or sitting while children played, it looked a very beautiful restful place.

  After resting in the tree for a few moments, they took off hopping from tree to tree, making their way along the Wynnum foreshore. Finally they landed near a children's play area, with swings, slides and roundabout.

  Charlie told Henri that he was hungry, and that all the flying they had just under taken had been exhausting and taken it out of him. Henri had to agree. Suddenly a group of sparrows hopping about in the grass beneath the tree they were sitting in caught Henri’s eye. Hey look someone's feeding those sparrows, exclaimed Henri.

  With that both birds swoop down to join in. Henri flew straight down into the crowd of sparrows, who were all pecking at crumbs of bread on the ground, being thrown to them by some grown-ups and their children, who setting out a picnic.

  Yummy thought Henri and tucked in to the food. Charlie was a little more apprehensive and timid landing just behind the main group of sparrows. He had never been this close to them before, wondering what they might do to him. Slowly he made his way towards the main group, looking for a few crumbs. Not his normal food, but he was very hungry and knew he would have to try anything at this stage to ward of his hunger pains. Finally he grabbed a small crust of bread, and ran out of the group to try and eat it on his own, hoping that the other birds would not pinch it from him.

  Mean while Henri had muscled his way in amongst the group, he was grabbing as much bread as possible. Not many sparrows would worry him in a tussle, as he was a tough little bird. After his fill, he went over to take a crumb to Charlie, knowing that he was very nervous and shy, and that he could not stand up for himself in a fight. Henri knew that given half a chance some of those sparrows would just grab the food, out of your mouth.

  Henri asked Charlie if he was okay and how was he going in his quest for bread crumbs. Charlie told him that he had managed to grab a couple of pieces. Henri then dropped another piece of bread in front of him that he had grabbed, and told him to eat it quick before he loses it.

  However, just as Charlie was about to take a peck at the piece of bread Henri had given him, four very large seagulls pounced on them. In their hurry to grab at the bread they started to lash out with their long sharp beaks. They were greedy and nothing was going to get in their way, not even another seagull. Poor old Charlie, the seagulls were pecking at him rather than the bread trying to scare him off, leaving the bread behind. Henri could see the pain on Charlie's face, as he still tried to hang onto the bread that Henri had give him. Drop it Henri shouted at Charlie, drop it and let's get out of here. As hungry as he was, Charlie just had to drop the bread. The pain from the pecking was hurting him too much. He then ran behind the nearest tree to try and protect himself, and Henri followed.

  Henri asked if he was alright, to which Charlie replied that he was a bit sore and that he was still hungry. Henri told him that they should have a look further along the Beach, and to follow him.

  A few trees further along Henri spotted a bundle of paper by a rubbish bin. Landing beside it he started pulling at the paper and a couple of cold potato chips and a small piece of fish fell out. Not really our diet he thought but it will do. After a few minutes the two chips had gone. Suddenly Charlie, nervous as ever and always looking around noticed a couple of gulls approaching at great speed. Lookout here they come again, he told Henri, who answered that they should get out of here, as they had eaten enough anyway.

  They took off just before the gulls landed, and started squabbling amongst themselves over the piece of fish. Charlie shouted at Henri saying that they should let them peck each other instead of them.

  Both birds were feeling very tired and flew into a tree for a rest, choosing one that was very dense with leaves, so they could hide from those terrible seagulls. By now the sun was starting to go down below the horizon so it would be a good place to stay the night. They both needed to close their eyes, and have a sleep. Suddenly Charlie asked what about Terry and Emily, what are we going to do, when the find that we are missing. Well we can't get home tonight, we will have to somehow try and find our way back tomorrow answered Henri.

  Charlie persisted but what about Terry and Emily, what will they do. Charlie wouldn't get much sleep tonight he would be worrying too much.

  The Wynnum Sea Front Gang

>   Chapter 2

  Terry and Emily came home from work just before dusk, and went through their usual routine, of unlocking the front door of the house, turning off the burglar alarm, and opening the windows to air the house out. Feed the indoor aquarium fish, then unlocked the back door and go outside to see the boys, as Terry called them, but shock stopped him in his tracks as he saw that the cages were empty. Funny while he was in the house he thought it was quiet outside. Normally the birds were quite noisy in greeting him. Calling Emily to come and see, a tear appeared in his eye.

  This was the day he had dreaded, but what was hurting most was, how they had got away. Terry had always worried that a freak storm would lash the Wynnum area, and somehow blow down the cages breaking them open. The birds would then be blown away. Brisbane over the years had experienced a few violent storms like that. Terry and Emily had only lived here since arriving from New Zealand six years earlier. So he only knew about these storms from their neighbours and friends.

  Seeing the empty cages Emily was also very upset. Talking amongst themselves they were trying to work out how the birds had got a way. Both cage doors were still open, had some local boys or maybe a burglar been around. Had they let the birds out as a prank, had they taken them or maybe even worse killed them out of spite, seeing that the house was locked and protected by an alarm? Terry looked all around the garden, but found no signs of a clue. No holes in the hedge, it was a big mystery.

  Both Terry and Emily had tears in their eyes, just worrying what might have happened. Even if it was for the worst, sometimes it was nice to know their fate. They got into their car and started to drive around, not knowing where to go or where to look. Plus it was now getting dark. Driving at only 20km per hour with both front windows wound down, they were both calling out the birds names. Terry had tamed Henri to come to his name, so he would know his voice. It all seemed pointless, where do you drive, where do you go. So they parked at the Plaza shopping centre, which was within walking distance from their house. They then spent a lot of time walking around the trees in the car park, once again calling out their names.