The next day, Haylynn and I walked up the street to visit our neighbor, Franny. She loves pink flamingos, just like me. We rang her doorbell. A June breeze floated by, carrying beautiful smells of fresh flowers.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9JZgh7krF
“Who is it?” Franny asked as she walked down the stairs.
“Scottlynn and I,” Haylynn replied.
“Oh, come in girls,” Franny cooed as she opened the door.
“Franny, as you know, we are going to the Caribbean islands this summer. We’ve heard flamingos live near Aruba, where we’ll be spending a few days. Do you know anything about flamingos?” Haylynn explained. I don’t think she took a breath at all. I’ll have to ask her to do that again sometime, I could time her on a stopwatch. “Scottlynn loves flamingos, she’d love to meet one. It would be a great adventure. But we’d like to know more about flamingos so we’re prepared.
“Take a breath for once, Haylynn!!” I hissed in her ear.
Franny chuckled. “Well, well girls. Let me explain,” I took a deep breath. I felt like you do when someone tells you a long story that keeps you fascinated until the end. “Wait one moment girls, let me grab some tea,” Franny said as she walked over to the kitchen. Mmm, tea.
“That would be great, Franny. It’s a surprisingly cold day, for being June,” I said.
Franny smiled. “Chocolate chip cookies, anyone?” she asked.
“We’d love some!!” Haylynn and I exclaimed in unison.
After a few minutes, we helped Franny carry over the plate filled with several cookies and a cup of tea for everyone. “Hmm, where do we begin. Ah, here we go. Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? (We nodded our heads) Well, whoever made up that saying was probably inspired by a flamingo. Obviously, their feathers are pink, but they can be red or orangish. They are that color because of what they eat. They typically eat insects, mollusks, tiny little sea critters called crustaceans, and small fish. They are omnivores, which means they eat plants and meat. You might see a colony or flock of flamingos where you go. Those are the names you can call a group of flamingos,” Franny took a sip of tea.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjfBtnv2NJ
“I like the sound of colony. A colony of flamingos,” I giggled.
“Yes, that does sound very, historical and silly,” Franny laughed. “But if you want to get close up to one, stay away from their legs. Quite fragile, they are. Break a leg, that bird is doomed. They suffer with broken legs. Don’t get too deep into their business, those beaks bite. They can be aggressive. The big flocks, or, colonies as you two like to call them, can attack if they feel threatened. But perhaps you’re a natural. Maybe they will love you. Maybe they will consider you Queen Scottie. Well girls, I’ve got to get to a meeting with my friends. I hope that helps. Maybe I’ll see you all in the pool this weekend. Have a great day you two,” Franny said. As we walked down the street, we were both deep in thought. Suddenly, Haylynn stopped.
“Does Franny really believe you’re a flamingo natural?” Haylynn asked.
I forgot she said that. Can she see into the future? I shook the thought out of my mind. “I don’t think so. That would only happen in someone’s wildest dreams,” I said. But I still half believed it. What if she was right- what if I am a flamingo natural?
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