The Bird Whisperer

Well, the story begins with a back porch. We have a screened-in porch that needs a little fixing up. In fact the door has the screen mostly torn out. Because of this, we rarely even go out there. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a screen if there is a gaping hole where all the critters you are tying to keep out, come in.
Normally, this includes the 100 lizards a day and the occasional wasp, dragonfly or other flying insect. We have even been graced by the presence of a snake. Do you see why I don't go out there?
Anyway, on Thursday morning, my youngest daughter called me to see that a small bird was stuck inside the porch. It had found it's way in, but couldn't find the way out. It kept flying around and hitting the screen. I wasn't sure how to help the little guy and I still had to get ready for the day.
Avery then asked if she could go out on the back porch with it. I replied, "Uh, NO!". Then, I went to take a shower and get ready for the day. I am sure you can see where this is going. The temptation was just too great. After I got out of the shower, I called down to make sure the kids were all ready to go. I heard them talking and running back in the house to shut the door.
So, down the stairs I go to see 1 very guilty looking face. I asked her what she had been doing and she told me she was on the back porch with the bird. I told her the reason I said no was because some birds will attack you if they feel threatened. She explained to me that the bird just kept flying away from her. In case you are wondering, she is my child that doesn't believe most of what I say until she feels the effects of it for herself.
Well, I know I should have punished her, but for some odd reason I didn't. In fact, I did just the opposite. I was thinking that the bird was still out there and it needed to get free. So, I let her go right back out to where I had first said no. I know this is terrible in the consistency realm, but now you know I give in sometimes.
I told her to slowly and carefully walk to the bird and slowly put her hands around it and try to pick it up to let it go out the door. The first attempt was a little shaky and it flittered out of her hands. Try 2 worked like a charm though. She got the bird and brought it over to the door and held her hand out.

This is where things got a little strange. It didn't fly away! For some odd reason, it just sat there on her hand. So, I told her to freeze and I ran to grab the camera.It sat there long enough for me to run to the camera, come back and take 3 pictures.
Then, Sydney asked for a turn to hold it. When they tried to pass it over, little birdie flew away.
So, I guess the moral of this story is: If you can sneak in and do what your mom told you not to, you might get the chance to hold a wild bird before it flies away to freedom. Aw, doesn't that just have a ring to it?