Chirpy the Bird - A Coronavirus Support Story
Note: We are reaching out to storytellers, parents, and children all over the world to collect stories that bring a little healing and levity to the coronavirus outbreak. We believe families need tools to help children (and parents) deal with the anxiety and cabin fever, not just the virus. Storytelling is a time-tested way to build safety, intimacy, and creativity in the home.
Visit the Coronavirus Storytelling Home Page
To be clear - these stories, articles, and resources are intended to help parents guide young children and ease anxiety in the household after the serious work of preparation has been done. They are not intended to make light of the illness. While this and other stories can be shared directly with children, we believe you will find the greatest comfort in crafting stories of your own with the help of your child.
This story was crafted by Silke Rose West, co-author of How to Tell Stories to Children. A 30-year veteran of the Waldorf Kindergarten, this story was originally intended for her parents and children at home, all of whom recognize many of the elements within the story, including the song.
We encourage you to create your own stories using imagery or themes from your child’s home, school, or town that they will recognize. Perhaps Chirpy could take a trip through your neighborhood. This helps a child feel seen and makes a story come alive both in the imagination and in reality.
Chirpy the bird was flying with a joyful heart. Her song always made her happy:
Spring is coming,
Spring is coming,
Birdies build your nests,
Weave together,
Straw and feather,
Doing all your best!
She had learned it from a group of children that wandered in the woods, played with sticks, rested on the ground, and even made fires. But today, she could not find them.
Chirpy thought, I might look for them in town.
She flew to one of the big school buildings, where her friend mourning dove loved to build her nest with her sweetheart.
“Have you seen the children, the ones with sticks and packs?” asked Chirpy.
“No,” said mourning dove. “I also have not seen the school bus. Perhaps they are playing in the town playground by the toy shop. They all love going there.”
Chirpy still had some time before she would find her mate and build her nest, so she decided to fly to the play yard. She bid goodbye with a flap of her wing to mourning dove.
She had to fly north, but town seemed strangely empty. People usually drove around all day, like giant ants in big metal boxes with wheels. But today, only a few were out.
Finally Chirpy arrived at the play yard, but it was empty. She landed on the ground and decided to hop around to see if she could find any clues.
“Shhh! Birdie, over here!”
Chirpy looked at what appeared to be a giant gnome statue with a red hat and a hole for children to put their faces through and have a picture taken.
“It’s me, the gnome. Shh!” said the statue.
“What’s going on?” asked Chirpy, “Where are the children?”
“They’re all at home with their parents,” said the gnome.
“Oh, they must be building nests, after all they were really good at finding sticks!”
“I doubt it,” said the gnome. “I think they found crystals and stones and decided to stay home and polish them!”
“Maybe they all turned into gnomes!” said Chirpy.
“Or flower fairies,” chimed a small yellow daffodil from the garden bed. “I like flower fairies, and some children are so gentle!”
“Yeah, but some are fierce like saber-tooth tigers,” replied the gnome.
All of a sudden it started to snow, and Chirpy shouted, “What if they all flew south like the birds?”
“Well why don’t you find out,” said the gnome, “After all, you came looking for them! I rather enjoy having the play yard to myself for a bit. I have found several good stones and crystals!”
All of a sudden, Chirpy heard a song from on top of the slide. She listened:
Spring is coming,
Spring is coming,
Flowers are coming too,
Pansies, lilies, daffodilies,
Now are coming too!
Chirpy flew up and there on top of the slide sat a handsome male bird.
“Did you like my song?” he asked. “I learned it from the children in the forest.”
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she said, “I learned the same song from them. In fact, there is an old juniper tree near the stream, the place where they listen to stories from their teacher, and that’s where I want to build my nest.”
“Would you like some help,” asked the male bird, “I am good at collecting sticks and would love to be a papa bird!”
“That sounds wonderful,” said Chirpy, “but you have to tell me your name.”
“My name is Flies Like an Eagle.”
“Wow, that’s a big name for a little bird.”
“Yes, my mother listened to a song from the children and that’s how I got it. But it’s a good name and it makes me feel strong and proud.”
“Oh, Flies Like an Eagle, do you know where the children are?”
“Yes, of course I know. They are home with their parents. They are studying the way of the birds by living in a nest!”
“Oh that’s good,” said Chirpy, “Then perhaps they will bring new songs and stories into the forest when they return.”
Chirpy and Flies Like an Eagle flew towards the forest and had a birdie wedding, then started to build their nest. In time the children returned, and it’s quite possible the eggs had hatched by then.
Announcing the 2020 Coronavirus Storytelling Challenge
As politicians and journalists wrestle for control over the story of coronavirus in the media, parents are locked down in a different battle – the story forming in our children’s hearts.
Schools are closing their doors. Parents are feeling anxious. Social distancing and empty shelves have us gasping for normalcy. We need skills for handling the disease, but we also need tools for managing the anxiety that treads in its footsteps.
That’s why we created the 2020 Coronoavirus Storytelling Challenge. As the nation struggles to catch up with the disease, let’s help parents and children connect at home, and take some of the pressure off.
PS - We want stories from parents and kids at home too! Not just storytellers. Share yours!
The Storytelling Loop is a newsletter bringing you tips, science, and real-life examples of how storytelling builds the connection between parent and child. It is a joint project of Silke Rose West and Joseph Sarosy, authors of How to Tell Stories to Children. Originally published in August of 2019, a new edition is due out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2021. You can find more from Joseph Sarosy at Fatherly. Are you involved in storytelling? Join Us.