The sun arose bright and the sky gleamed a brilliant blue. What a delightful day after a week of rain.
“Ah, I’m going to spend some time outside!” I said, my hand on the doorknob. Once outside, I inhaled the delicious spring air. The lilacs were blooming and the birds were building their nests. A butterfly hovered over a dandelion.
I sank onto the front porch steps and let the sun warm my face. After a while I laid my head on my knees.
It was then that I noticed the titmouse. He was a chirpy little thing, hopping through the hedge on my left, happily gathering material for his nest. He came nearer and paused to inspect me. I held perfectly still.
All of a sudden the titmouse flew up. It hovered over my head for a second, then landed, digging its little claws into my hair.
My heart started beating faster and I nearly stopped breathing. A moment later I felt a ripping sensation. The bird was pulling my hair for its nest!
I sat there for what seemed like a long time while Mrs. Titmouse energetically pulled again and again.
Then from inside the house I heard Dad’s astonished voice, “There’s a bird sitting on Emily’s head and pulling her hair!”
When I realized how this must look to the others, I had to squelch back the little giggles within me.
I waited a few minutes longer. Then suddenly, mission accomplished, the titmouse flew down and landed on the porch. Seconds later it was gone into the depths of the hedge on my far right.
And I never did find the nest for which I donated my hair.
Editor’s note: Titmice build cup-shaped nests inside a cavity. So, I expect the hair was out of sight in a hole someplace. Titmice typically use moss, leaves, and animal fur to make their nests.