(1) Saying Goodbye To God’s Creature and (2) The Bird’s Nest
By: Isabella Manno
(1) Saying Goodbye To God’s Creature:
I went outside to play one day and saw all the flies munching on a baby mouse that had drowned in a bucket of water outside my house. I believe every creature deserves to rest in peace, so I dug a small hole in the dirt to bury the mouse, who I named Mouse Jr., and covered him with dirt and rocks. Then I decorated his grave with shells, flowers, berries I found on my tree, and a feather, and found the biggest rock to use as his gravestone. I also wrote him a letter while I was at the park.
(2) The Bird’s Nest:
I gathered a bunch of sticks, formed the sticks into a circle, and wrapped saran wrap all around the sticks to make it look like a nest. Then I put dried-up leaves, grass, and sticks on top of the saran wrap to make it into a warm home for any birds visiting my house. I placed a rock in the middle of the nest to make a dent for the birds to sit in. Then I added the egg because it looks cool. My daddy found the egg in the leaves when he was raking our yard. I don’t know where it came from, but I think it’s neat.
Artist Statement
Isabella is 8 years old and in third grade. She enjoys art in all shapes and sizes–drawing, painting, singing, writing poetry–and she’s even going to start guitar lessons in a few weeks! Isabella loves animals, nature, swimming, gymnastics, and food, especially pasta. She wants to be a poet, a veterinarian, and a mom when she grows up.
Isabella, a gentle caring soul. The time and care to bury a mouse and write them a letter! How beautiful. And then to create a nest for a bird and for he daddy to find an egg. Miraculous!
Nice writing Isabella. I liked reading about the caring things you did for Mr Mouse. I also very much liked your bird’s nest. You really put a lot of thought into what you chose to build it with. Your Dad has a sharp eye out for special things too, (since he found the neat egg).Nice work Isabella! I look forward to reading more.
Isabella,
Thank you for your attention and feelings shown for our natural world, for the beloved creatures around us. As you know, my dog, Jesse, died recently and I carry her memory with me everyday. Your artwork and beautiful words makes me glad to know that there are children like you in this world–who care so much for all living things. Your artwork shows your good, good heart!