By Kym Kostos

Scarlet Learns About Emotions

"Ugh!!" Scarlet tweeted in frustration at her top hat nest.

"What is wrong Scarlet?" Ashby asked her.

"This straw will not stay where it is supposed to stay! It is so frustrating!" Scarlet tweeted loudly.

"You sound really frustrated. Maybe you should calm down and rest a little, then try it again." Ashby said calmly. "We don't need your emotions getting out of control, now."

"Emotions?" Scarlet asked. “What are emotions?”

"Yes, emotions." Ashby answered and continued, "Your feeling of frustration is an emotion. Different people feel different emotions at all times. Whether it's calm and relaxed, happy, sad, angry, etc… like right now you are feeling frustrated. That is called an emotion and we deal with them every day of our lives... good and bad."

"Really?" Scarlet tweeted, still having her feathers ruffled. "Tell me more about emotions Ashby."

"Well, emotions and feelings, which they are often called sometimes as well, function on so many different levels. They can cause us to be sick in some instances where our emotions are unmanageable and we can't calm ourselves down. Have you ever been so upset that your tummy was hurting?" Ashby asked Scarlet.

"Oh yes. In fact, when I first left my nest as a baby bird, I was so scared that I couldn't eat for a whole day!" Scarlet tweeted. "My tummy was nervous and upset."

"Exactly. Nervous and scared are common emotions. Our emotions can take over our lives if we don't get control of them. But, they are our most reliable source of how things are going on in our lives and it is also a way to tell how things are going on in other people’s lives too. Like yours, for instance. I knew that you were frustrated about something, but I didn’t know what, until I had asked you."

"Wow Ashby, our emotions can take over our lives if we are not careful!" Scarlet tweeted.

"You are correct Scarlet," Ashby continued, "If you hold your emotions inside of you, it can cause physical problems, such as an upset tummy, as you had experienced before. Emotions can affect our body physically as much as it affects our thinking and feelings. Emotions need to be felt and then released. Especially negative ones. Some people keep their negative emotions inside of them and then when they become too overwhelming, it's even worse than before when they are finally released."

“Ahhh!! This straw is making me mad now!”

Scarlet tweeted loudly.

"Nonsense, Scarlet, that straw isn't making you anything. You are making yourself frustrated and angry. You are the only one who can change what you feel. You are letting that straw control you." Ashby scolded Scarlet. "Take a deep breath, gain control of yourself and I am sure you will figure out what is wrong with the straw and why it isn't working the way you want it to."

Scarlet did just as Ashby told her. She closed her little eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened her eyes. She looked at the straw and finally realized why it wasn’t working the way she wanted it to.

“You’re right Ashby!” Scarlet tweeted happily. “I see what the problem was!”

“Now you are expressing a feeling of happiness. Such a big change than before, isn’t it Scarlet?” Ashby laughed.

Scarlet giggled, “Yes, I supposed Ashby.”

"See? Our emotions directly effect how our bodies work. Even though it is hard to control our emotions at times, sometimes, when we do control them, we can look at the problem a different way and then find a solution, once we are thinking straight and rationally."

"Ashby, you are so smart!" Scarlet tweeted. "There, now the straw is working in perfectly!"

Timmy Loses Max

On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, Timmy was sitting under Ashby on a blanket. Timmy was looking very sad. Ashby could tell he had been crying.

“What’s wrong Timmy?” Ashby asked.

“Yesterday, I came home from school and I was always used to Max meeting me at the door. He would lick my face and I would pet him every time I came home.” Timmy sniffed and continued, “Yesterday, he didn’t meet me at the door. My mom said Max got very sick and she had to take him to the vet. Max was old, I know, but he was my best friend in the whole wide world. My mom said the vet said that Max was going to die and that my mom should say her goodbye to him.” Timmy started crying again. “I never got to say goodbye to Max. My mom said she said goodbye for me, but I never got to tell him that I loved him one more time.” Timmy began crying more.

“Oh, I am so sorry to hear that Timmy.” Ashby said comforting Timmy. “I am sure he knew you loved him very much.”

Scarlet flew down from her nest and stood on the blanket next to Timmy and said, “Timmy, I am so sorry to hear about your dog Max dying. I remember seeing him playing in the meadow and chasing the ball you used to throw to him.”

“Timmy, I also remember you chasing Max through the meadow. That is what you should focus on, the happy times you had with Max.” Ashby said. “I’m sure the vets did everything they possibly could to save Max. At least he isn’t sick or in any pain anymore.”

“I know everything you are saying is true. My mom told me the same things. But, I just feel so lonely without Max.” Timmy sniffed and wiped away his tears.

“Well, you shouldn’t feel lonely, you have plenty of good friends around you who care and love you very much.” As Ashby said that, Sara, Angela, Billy, Joy, Eric and Sam all came over to Timmy. Each of them were carrying crayons and large construction paper.

Sara spoke first, “Timmy, we heard about Max and we are very sorry. He was a good dog and we all loved him very much.”

“We brought paper and crayons so that we can all draw pictures of Max to remember him.” Billy said.

“We can also talk about all the good times we had with Max. He lived al long happy life because you were his best friend.” Sam said.

The children spread out their blankets and put all their crayons in one pile on the blankets. They each lay a piece of construction paper on the blankets, including one for Timmy. They spent the afternoon drawing pictures of Max, talking about Max and remembering Max and what a good dog he was.

When they were done with their pictures, they put the pictures up on Ashby and the other trees in the meadow. The meadow turned into a memorial for Max.

“I think Max would have liked this very much.” Timmy said. “Thank you everyone for being such good friend to me. Max was my best friend, but so are all of you.” And for the first time that day, Timmy smiled because he felt happy.

Sara’s Surprise Party

On Sunday, around noon time, Angela and Sara were sitting under Ashby having a tea party. The two best friends were giggling and laughing and enjoying their tea party. They had invited Scarlet to come down and join their tea party and the three were enjoying themselves.

Ashby’s branches were full of apples and leaves and gave the girls and Scarlet plenty of shade for their tea party. Sara had brought out some tea cakes and offered Scarlet one. Scarlet always enjoyed the girls’ tea cakes. They were always so tasty and sweet and the cake crumbs were always so delicious.

“Ashby, tomorrow is my birthday.” Sara told Ashby.

“Well, I do hope you enjoy your birthday and have a wonderful day.” Ashby said to Sara.

“We better get going,” Angela said to Sara, “Your mom said to be home for lunch, remember? We don’t want to be late.” Angela stood up and shook out their picnic blanket as Sara began to put her tea set back into the basket.

“I know.” Sara replied, “Scarlet it was fun having you join our tea party.”

“Well, thank you for inviting me.” Tweeted Scarlet happily.

The next afternoon Sara and Angela were under Ashby again having their tea party. This time, they had leftover birthday cake and Scarlet was enjoying the birthday cake with the girls.

“Oh Ashby and Scarlet,” Sara began, “Remember yesterday when I had to be home for lunch?”

“Yes.” Ashby said and Scarlet tweeted.

Sara continued, “Well, yesterday, when I walked into the front door of my house, everyone shouted ‘SURPRISE!’ and all my friends and family were there to celebrate my birthday with me!” Sara said excitedly.

“There were lots of balloons, like the red one I tied to your branch Ashby, and cake and ice cream and lots of presents. There were so many presents!” Sara continued, “I was actually sad yesterday and last week because no one had mentioned anything about my birthday and I thought everyone had forgotten about it. Then when I saw that everyone had remembered and were just keeping the surprise party a secret from me, I was surprised, excited and very happy! I was feeling so many emotions, I couldn’t contain myself!” Sara exclaimed.

“And how are you feeling today, Sara?” Ashby asked her.

“Today, I feel tired and exhausted. So much celebrating yesterday, opening presents, playing games, dancing and having so much fun… it was so exhausting. But, in a good way, Ashby. Oh, I wish you and Scarlet could have been there! You would have had so much fun!” Sara said.

“Well, at least you brought us some birthday cake to enjoy. I do love yummy birthday cake!” Scarlet tweeted.

“I knew about the surprise party and it was so hard to keep it a secret from you.” Angela said. “You know how much I hate keeping secrets from you too!”

Sara giggled and pulled out a doll from her picnic basket. “I love the new doll you got me for my birthday present, Angela. It’s my favorite present out of all of them.” Sara hugged her doll.

“I knew you wanted her, so I just had to get her for you for your birthday.” Angela said and smiled.

“Sounds like you experienced a lot of emotions yesterday and today, Sara. A lot of happy emotions and good feelings. That is always pleasant to have, especially on your birthday.” Ashby said.

“Yes, and right now all I want to do is lay down and take a nap, I am so tired.” Sara yawned as she told Ashby.

“Well, lay under my branches. There is a cool breeze. You two girls have had a lot of excitement. Lay down, close your eyes and take a nap.” Ashby swayed his branches back and forth. “Sweet dreams girls and Happy Birthday Sara.” Ashby said gently.

Ashby and Scarlet Are Afraid

One summer night, it had been the hottest day on record in history for that month. The meadow was dry and it hadn't rained for quite some time. Ashby had noticed clouds coming in that day and thought that they were just passing through. Scarlet was awoken by lightning strikes in the sky, followed by thunder.

It was the middle of the night when she had awaked and smelled smoke. She came out of her top hat nest and tweeted to Ashby, “Ashby, do you smell smoke?”

Ashby sniffed the air. “Yes, I do Scarlet. I’ve smelled for a few minutes now.”

“Does it smell like it is close?” Scarlet asked Ashby.

“I am not sure.” Ashby was beginning o become quite scared.

Just then Ashby saw a glow of fire coming from Farmer Joe’s farm. He could see the smoke rising and spreading over the night sky. By now, the sky had turned red, smoke was everywhere.

“What are we going to do Ashby?” Scarlet was scared and frantic.

Ashby then saw some animals running towards him. It was a rabbit family and some squirrels.

“Ashby! Farmer Joe’s barn was struck by lightning and caught on fire!” It was Mrs. Rabbit and she had her whole family with her. “The fire is spreading!”

“Ok, everyone remain calm. We are all safe here. Scarlet, come down here. Always remember everyone, we always stay as close to the ground as we can. Smoke rises and we want to breathe as little smoke in as possible.” Ashby informed everyone.

Scarlet flew down to the ground where Mrs. Rabbit and her family were with the two squirrels. Everyone was frightened, including Ashby. He had never been a fire before and had never seen one or smelled one so close before. Ashby very much wanted to protect everyone. More animals arrived. Mr. Blue Jay, who was Scarlet’s friend, stood by Scarlet.

“Everything will be okay Scarlet.” Mr. Blue Jay said as he put his wing around her to comfort her.

“I sure hope so.” Scarlet replied.

Just then everyone heard the sirens of the fire engines. Although still frightened, everyone found a little comfort and some relief knowing that the firemen were going to take care of the fire, so it wouldn’t spread to the meadow.

After a couple of hours had passed, the glow in the sky wasn’t from the fire anymore. It was from the sun rising. It was morning.

Although the sky was still cloudy with smoke, there was a breeze that would soon take it away.

“Wow,” said Ashby, “I have never been so scared before in my life!”

“Me too!” Tweeted Scarlet, still standing next to Mr. Blue Jay.

“That was definitely a frightening adventure.” Mrs. Rabbit said as her baby bunnies were all around her huddling.

“Well, I hope no one was hurt.” Ashby said.

Just then Sara and her friend Angela were walking over to Ashby and the others. “Did you see the fire from my Uncle Joe’s barn?” She asked.

“Yes, we did.” Tweeted Scarlet. “Was anyone hurt?” She asked.

“No, thank goodness. We were all just very frightened.” Sara informed everyone. “Uncle Joe can rebuild the barn.”

“Goodness me,” Scarlet tweeted, “I am certainly glad that this is all over. I need to preen my feathers and get some sleep. What a long night it was!”

“Indeed it was!” Ashby said. “I am so happy that everyone is okay and that no one was hurt. I think we all need a good rest now.”

“Indeed we do!” Sara said and pulled out her picnic blanket and lay down and rested and fell asleep. Calm now from last evening events.

Scarlet is in Love

It was a warm and sunny morning in the middle of spring. Scarlet was tidying up her top hat nest and singing. Ashby very much loved to hear Scarlet sing. She had a very beautiful and angelic voice.

Scarlet always sang when she was tidying up her top hat nest. But, today, Ashby noticed something different in her singing. Her singing was very cheerful and had a lot of emotion in the song she was singing.

“Scarlet, you certainly are in a very good mood this morning.” Ashby said up to her.

Scarlet came out of her top hat nest, sat on the edge of the brim of the nest and was still singing, “M.mmm… what a beautiful morning it is… the sun is out… I can feel the warmth on my feathers… Love is in the air… the scent of love is in the air…”

“Is there a little red bird in love?” Ashby teased Scarlet.

Scarlet tweeted happily. “Oh most certainly! What gave it away?”

“The singing. You have been singing all morning about love.” Ashby said.

Just then Jay, a blue bird with beautiful blue shiny feathers, flew up to Ashby’s branches. Ashby noticed Jay had a bunch of wild flowers in his beak with a red bow tied around them, as red as Scarlet’s feathers, that he was carrying.

Jay stood on one of Ashby’s branches, holding the flowers in his feathers and began to sing for Scarlet. Scarlet heard the dinging and then walked out of her top hat nest to see who was singing such beautiful music.

Scarlet was happy to see Jay and smiled. Jay began to read her a poem he had written for her.

"My beautiful Scarlet

How much I love you

Your love is a warm blanket

Your sweet heart, so true

When I think of your beauty

And your radiant voice

I will have to agree

That I made the right choice

Scarlet, oh Scarlet

I will always be true

My Scarlet, oh Scarlet

How I do love you”

“Oh Jay! That was simply beautiful!” Scarlet tweeted and flew down to the branch where Jay was.

“My beautiful Scarlet, these flowers are for you. I picked them fresh this morning.” Jay handed Scarlet the fresh bunch of flowers he had picked for her from the meadow.

“Oh Jay!” Scarlet tweeted, “I love you!”

Scarlet kissed Jay on his beak. Jay felt the love of Scarlet throughout this his little feathered body.

Jay had planned a picnic for him and Scarlet back at his nest. He had found some big fat juicy worms for their lunch feast. Big fat juicy worms were Scarlet’s favorite.

As they flew off together, “Ashby thought to himself, “Silly birds in love.” And then Ashby laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Ashby didn’t see Sara underneath him and she had startled him when she spoke.

“Oh Scarlet and Jay being in love. They are such silly birds. So, how are you today Sara?” Ashby asked her.

“In love?” Sara asked.

“Yes, in love. I guess it is something you have to experience before you can understand what it means. I have never been love before.” Ashby said.

“But, I think it is definitely a common emotion that people feel of all ages.” Ashby paused for a minute, then continued, “Over the decades, people have described love as being the most beautiful feeling in the world. It puts an extra spring in their step, makes them feel very positive about life, and overall, just makes them feel very happy."

“What’s the difference of loving someone and being in love?” Sara asked confused. “I love my mom and dad, Uncle Joe, Aunt Millie, my sister, my granny and grampa. Does that mean I am in love with them too?” Sara was confused.

“Not quite Sara. Being ‘in love’ is different than loving your family and close friends. Being in love is a physical attraction to someone and also an emotional attraction as well. You feel very deep feelings for this person." Ashby tried explaining to Sara.

“So then, how do you know when you are in love Ashby?” Sara was curious and asked.

"Well, you feel a strong bond with the person you are 'in love' with and they also feel a strong bond with you. You will think about this person a lot, wishing you could be with them when you are away from them. When you are with them, you are very happy together. Some have even said that they get butterflies in their tummy or tingles when the other persons peaks to them or looks them in the eyes."

Ashby stopped for a moment to hear some birds in the distance singing. He smiled, because they reminded him of Jay and Scarlet. Then Ashby continued telling Sara about being 'in love'. "From what I can tell, the feeling of being in love is one of the most beautiful feelings of all feelings and emotions. Everything around you is glowing with beauty, everything is happy, sunny... everything is perfect and the way it should be. I think being in love is the bet experience anyone should have."

“Do you think I will ever be in love some day?” Sara asked curiously.

“Oh Sara, I am sure you will one day.” Ashby answered. "And when you are older and fall in love, it will be very precious to you. First loves are the best, I have been told. I am sure a young gentleman will take a liking to you one day and you will to him and when that happens, you will know.”

“I sure hope so!” Sara said as Billy came up to her while she was talking to Ashby.

“Hi Sara.” Billy said.

“Hi Billy. How are you?” Sara asked.

“I’m okay. You?” He replied.

“I’m okay too. I was just talking to Ashby about being in love.” Sara said.

“Really? Why? Are you in love with someone?” Billy asked inquisitively.

“No, I was just curious, that’s all.” Sara answered.

“Do you want to go swing on the swing by the lake?” Billy asked.

“Sure! That sounds like fun!” Sara replied. “Bye bye Ashby, thank you for explaining about being in love.”

“My pleasure.” Ashby said. He thought as Billy and Sara ran off to swing by the lake, “I think she will fall in love sooner than she thinks.” Then Ashby laughed as Scarlet and Jay came flying back to his branches. He smiled as he saw Jay give Scarlet a kiss. “Ahhh… two birds in love.” He thought and grinned.

Timmy Feels Loneliness

Ashby watched Tinny slowly walk over to him one cloudy day. No other children were around. “What is wrong, Timmy?” Ashby asked him when he sat underneath Ashby.

“I feel so alone.” Timmy answered. “Ever since Max died, I haven’t had anyone really to play with.”

“What about Eric and Billy? I thought you always played with them?” Ashby asked.

“I don’t think they want to play with me anymore.” Timmy said sadly.

“Why do you say that?” Ashby was wondering.

“At school yesterday, everyone was playing ball and no one asked me to play.” Timmy said.

"Well, did you let them know that you wanted to play?" Ashby asked.

"I always want to play ball. I like playing ball it's fun." Timmy answered.

"Yes, I know Timmy, but did you let them know you wanted to join in playing ball with them? Or were you being stand-offish and giving them signals that you didn't want to play?" Ashby inquired more.

"I was over by the playground on the swing. They could have asked me to come play with them." Timmy answered.

"Maybe you were giving them signals that you wanted to be alone. Do you think that is possible?"

“I don’t know, maybe.” Timmy shrugged.

“I’m sorry you are feeling lonely, Timmy. But, maybe you are sending signals to the other children that you want to be alone. Maybe you should have just walked over to where they were playing and asked them if you could join them. I am sure if you had approached them on the playground, they would have asked you to play with them.” Ashby advised.

“I don’t know. Maybe they would have.” Timmy shrugged some more.

“See that barrel over there?” Ashby looked over to a barrel.

“Yeah, I see it.” Timmy answered.

“Pull it over here underneath me.” Ashby instructed.

Timmy got up, walked over to the barrel, dragged it over to where Ashby told him to. When the barrel was under Ashby, Ashby said, “Stand back.”

Timmy stood back and Ashby shook his branches. Apples began to fall from Ashby’s branches. Then Ashby stopped shaking his branches.

“Wow! Look at all those apples!” Timmy exclaimed.

Just then Scarlet came out of her top hat nest and tweeted loudly, “What on earth is going on out here!?”

“Sorry about that Scarlet. Timmy is feeling lonely and I was shaking my branches to drop apples for him to pick up and put in that barrel.” Ashby explained to Scarlet.

“Well, warn me the next time you decide to do that!” Scarlet scolded Ashby. “I thought the world was ending! You could have given me a heart attack!”

“I’m sorry Scarlet.” Ashby apologized.

“Okay. And why are you so lonely Timmy? You have plenty of friends to play with.” Scarlet asked Timmy.

Timmy was picking up the apples off the ground hat Ashby had dropped from his branches and putting them into the barrel.

“Why on earth did you drop all those apples, Ashby?” Scarlet tweeted, still a little upset.

“You will see.” Ashby said.

“Well, Timmy, enough of this loneliness nonsense. If you want something to do, go over to the flower field and pick me some fresh lavender flowers for my top hat nest. I was going to do it myself, but since you seemed like you needed something to do, please do that for me.” Scarlet flew back into her top hat nest and perched at the entranceway.

“Okay Scarlet.” Timmy said as he walked over to the flower field to pick Scarlet some fresh lavender flowers.

As Timmy was away picking fresh lavender flowers for Scarlet, Timmy friends; Sara, Billy, Eric, Angela and Joy all walked over to Ashby.

“Hi Ashby!” They all said.

“Hello children.” He replied.

“What are all these apples for?” Billy inquired first.

“Oh Timmy picked those for me and put them in the barrel for everyone to enjoy today.” Ashby replied.

The children then looked through the barrel and pulled out the juiciest apples they could find and began to enjoy eating them.

“Where is Timmy?” Sara looked around and asked.

“Yeah,” Billy said, “He hasn’t been around much lately to play with us.”

“He’s feeling lonely because, he said, that you weren’t including him in playing ball with you children.” Ashby answered.

“It doesn’t seem like he has wanted to play with us Ashby. He is always moping around and looking sad and not coming over to our play circle.” Sara said.

“Children, Timmy is still mourning Max. He lost his best friend and that is making him feel lonely and sad still. Maybe he needs you children to go over to him and ask him to play with you. He really needs his friends right now.” Ashby informed the children.

“You are right, Ashby. We didn’t think of that.” Billy said. “Where is Timmy now?” He looked around.

“He is out in the flower field picking lavender flowers for me.” Scarlet tweeted.

Just then the children saw Timmy walking towards them, holding a handful of lavender flowers for Scarlet’s top hat nest. As he approached them, the children opened their arms and they all gave Timmy a big group hug.

“We are sorry Timmy for not understanding how you were feeling still about losing Max.” Sara spoke first.

“We should have been better friend in understanding how you were feeling.” Billy said.

“Timmy, you know you don’t have to wait for us to invite you to play ball with us. You are always welcome to join us anytime. We are your friends and we will always be your friends.” Sara said.

“See Timmy?” Ashby said. “Your friends do care about you and weren’t ignoring you.”

“These apples are delicious!” Billy said as he took another bite out of one.

As the children sat underneath Ashby in the shade of his branches, eating his juicy delicious apples, Ashby smiled and said to the children, “Whether you are happy, sad, angry, frustrated, lonely, excited, afraid… even in love… these are all emotions we feel every day, children. The older you get, the more emotions you will feel and the more you feel those emotions, the more you will understand them and know how to control them. Emotions are wonderful things to have. It is a way we express ourselves to others and help others understand what we are feeling inside. Never hide your feelings or your emotions, always tell someone about them and share them. Holding them inside, especially negative ones, will only make you feel worse. If someone upsets you, let them know. If someone makes you happy, tell them as well. Just remember, share your emotions and feelings and others will understand you better. Also, listen to others when they share their emotions and feelings with you. It goes both ways.” Ashby smiled. “I do love all of you children.”

“We love you too Ashby!” The children all replied.