Little Henry and His Bird

"Little Henry and His Bird" by Anonymous is a timeless story for young readers that touches on kindness, liberty, and the unique relationship a child can have with the natural world. It tells of a young boy named Henry who discovers a wounded bird with red feathers, attacked by a cat. Filled with sympathy, Henry dedicates himself to nursing the bird back to health. He grows attached and envisions the bird staying with him forever. But the bird makes a choice to fly off and join other birds in the wild. Through this experience, Henry learns a crucial lesson about how important freedom and happiness are for wild creatures. The story ends on a happy note, with Henry discovering a new simple joy in flying a kite, feeling happy as he watches it rise high in the sky, much like the bird he cared for.