This Week @ Monday Creek: Barn Swallows

 

Thanks, JoAnn, for the adorable birdhouse! <3

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than sparrows. 

Matthew 10:29-31 KJV

August greetings! On Saturday, my in-law's came to visit. My sister-in-law, JoAnn, gifted us an adorable handfelted, wool birdhouse made in Nepal (see photo above).  The house is made for wrens, but I am sure our barn swallows will quickly find it! It is a treasure that I will always cherish, a fond memory of a super visit with family. Here's a short story about barn swallows that live in our barn...

Barn Swallows: A Short Story    

    In the heart of a rolling countryside, there stands a charming red barn, its weathered by time but still vibrant against the green fields. Every spring, the barn comes alive with the fluttering of wings and the cheerful chirping of barn swallows.

    These swallows make the barn their home for generations. They build their nests high in the rafters, safe from the reach of curious barn cats and other predators. The swallows are fun to watch as they swoop and dart through the air with incredible agility, their sleek bodies cutting through the sky like tiny acrobats.

    As the sun rises each morning, the barn swallows begin their day with a flurry of activity. They fly out in search of insects to feed their hungry chicks, their keen eyes spotting the tiniest of movements in the grass below. With a swift dive, they snatch their prey mid-air and return to the barn, where their young await eagerly.

    The barn cats, ever the opportunists, watch the swallows with a mix of curiosity and frustration. They crouch low, their tails twitching, as they try to anticipate the swallows’ next move. But the swallows are too quick and too clever. They dive-bomb the cats, swooping down with fearless precision, sending the felines scattering in surprise.

    Inside the barn, the nests are bustling with life. The baby swallows, their mouths wide open, chirp incessantly, demanding food from their tireless parents. The adult swallows take turns feeding their young, ensuring each chick gets its share. The barn echoes with the sounds of their busy lives, a symphony of nature’s rhythms.

    As the days grow longer and warmer, the young swallows grow stronger. They practice flapping their wings, preparing for the day they will take their first flight. The barn becomes a training ground, with the fledglings hopping from beam to beam, gaining confidence with each attempt.

    Finally, the day arrives when the young swallows are ready to leave the nest. One by one, they take to the air, their wings beating with newfound strength. They join their parents in the sky, learning to navigate the world beyond the barn. The red barn, once a sanctuary for their early days, now stands as a symbol of their journey into independence.