"Will you do it?" Tris begged Sandry. "You're not afraid of anything."
Sandry tucked her hands behind her back. "I'm not his mama," she replied with an evil grin.
"Neither am I!" cried Tris.
Briar put the tongs in her hand and wrapped her fingers around them.
"The caterpillar is crawling out," remarked Daja. She flicked it back into the dish.
"You do it!" Eagerly Tris thrust the tongs at her. "You like bugs!"
Daja grinned and stepped back. "Sandry's right. I'm not his mother either."
None of them but Little Bear had paid attention to the nest-box as the handkerchief cover bumped, thrashed and finally slid off. Its inhabitant climbed out. Almost a fledgling, Shriek was now three inches long from head to rump, with another two inches of tail. He was still in pin-feathers, but his black eyes were alert and wide open. He waddled across the table, yelling.
The dog fled. The four children watched Shriek.
"Maybe he'll eat from the dish," suggested Daja. She thrust it into his way.
Shriek walked around it without once shutting up, headed for Tris. When she stretched her hand out to him, he pecked one finger hard.
"Ow! Shriek -"
He screamed - and pecked - again. Tris backed up.
Shriek came on and dropped off the edge of the table. Sandry and Tris banged into each other in their rush to catch him, while the bird - cradled in Sandry's skirt - continued to scream. When Tris gathered him up, he continued to peck her. She kept her hands cupped around him, wincing at the pain. "That beak is sharp" she complained.
"Anything for peace and quiet." Picking up the tongs, Briar selected a worm and held it over Shriek. The nestling gave Tris a last jab and sat up in her hands, opening his beak wide. Briar dropped the worm in. Shriek swallowed. He appeared to think about what he'd just eaten.
"Well, that's better, anyway," Sandry remarked with a sigh.
Shriek screamed.
"My turn." Daja took the tongs and offered the caterpillar to the bird. This Shriek bit in two, allowing her to keep half while he gulped down the rest. Once the titbit was in his belly, he snatched the rest out of the tongs.
Sandry picked up an earthworm with her fingers. Shriek accepted this offering as he had the caterpillar, eating it in neat bites.
"Your turn, mama." Briar drew the nest-box over so Tris could put her charge back in his bed. Shriek squalled.
Slowly, gingerly, Tris picked a grub up with the tongs, wincing as her firm hold crushed the sacrifice. She positioned the tongs over the nestling's gaping beak, and dropped the grub in.
Everyone applauded. Shriek blinked, sighed and settled down for a nap.