The Day a New Sound Came to the Hollow
After a storm, Mother Owl brought a lost myna nestling to rest in a soft basket. The baby chirped every few moments. Hookhook was excited to help, but the new sound filled the little drawing corner.
Hookhook carried soft cloth, passed Mother a water cup, and watched carefully. But each time drawing began, the nestling chirped again. Hookhook flapped in frustration and immediately felt guilty for not acting like a perfectly kind helper.
Mother Owl said, “Love and annoyance can arrive together.” They made a schedule: a wing card for helping, a pencil card for private time, and an ear card for asking Mother to take over when the sound felt too much.
During pencil-card time, Hookhook drew on a quiet branch while Mother cared for the baby. When the wing card came, Hookhook returned to help change the cloth and hum softly, now with more willingness.
Two days later, a wildlife carer returned the nestling to a safe nest. The hollow became quiet again. Hookhook missed the tiny chirps a little and also welcomed the silence. Both feelings were equally real.
Moral of the story
We can care about someone and still need time alone. Two different feelings may both be true.
© 2026 Hoot Tales. All rights reserved in the retelling, translation, illustrations, characters, and presentation. No reproduction, adaptation, republication, or commercial use without permission.
Back to all stories
