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RED THE CARDINAL OF HOPE

In a forest far, where trees stand tall, lived a cardinal, brave and small.

A whimsical forest with tall trees, lots of friendly animals, and a small, vibrant red cardinal named RED

His name was Red, a bird so bright, he filled the woods with endless light.

Sunlight filtering through trees, illuminating A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying, the cardinal

Every dawn, he’d chirp and sing, spreading joy to everything.

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying singing from a tree branch at sunrise, other forest creatures looking happy

One day, Red felt something odd, his chirps were quiet, his wings were flawed.

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying looking puzzled, with a slight frown, checking his wings

He sat and sighed upon a pine, ‘How can I soar and how can I shine?’

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying sitting wistfully on a pine tree branch, the forest in the background

A squirrel named Nutty scampered near, ‘Red, you’ll fly, have no fear!’

A friendly squirrel chattering to A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying, looking encouraging

‘Just flap, just flutter, just take flight, your heart will guide you, morning to night.’

A friendly squirrel with a bushy tail, looking encouraging and joyful encouraging A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying, with A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying looking hopeful again

Red chirped again, first soft, then loud, filling the forest, making friends proud.

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying chirping loudly, forest animals cheering for A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying

He fluttered his wings, took off to the sky, soaring above, oh, how he did fly!

A bright red cardinal in flight, flying gracefully above the forest, looking joyous

Now every morning, Red would start, with a joyous song from his bright red heart.

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying perched proudly, singing at dawn, lots of forest animals below enjoying the melody

From then on, Red knew it’s true, if he believes, there’s nothing he can’t do.

A bright red cardinal with a cheerful and optimistic expression, singing and flying looking confident, chest puffed out, with the glowing forest around him

So remember dear child, when you’re in a bind, look deep within, your hope you’ll find. Always remember what i've just said, about a bird who's name is RED!

A child reading this story by a window, with a view of a cardinal outside

Reflection Questions

  • How did Red feel when his chirps were quiet?
  • What did Nutty do to help Red?
  • Why is it important to believe in yourself, like Red did?

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