A magical bedtime fable about kindness, unexpected guests, and the glowing power of hospitality!
When a great flutter of "tu-whit tu-whoos" sweeps through the border towns, young Vargo the owl is left trembling at the rumors of a coming "Caravan of Bad Hombres" bringing cuckoos. To calm the frightened little bird, Grandpa Owl shares a legendary, true tale of the Great Woods.
Once, a lowly, wandering Cuckoo arrived seeking nothing more than a warm welcome and a cozy nest to lay her egg. But the posh birds of the woods are too busy or too selfish to help! The sleepy Nightjar, the dramatic Sparrow, and the grumpy Raven all refuse to host what they believe is just a parasite.
Finally, the Cuckoo meets a humble Crow who generously offers her food and a safe roost for the night. The Crow's radical hospitality unlocks a breathtaking secret: the Cuckoo is actually a majestic, fiery Phoenix messenger sent from the heavens to test the piety of the Great Woods. With a terrifying swarm of sun-blotting Predator Raptors on the way, the Phoenix leaves behind a highly unique egg. Will the magical hatchling's glowing elixir be enough to protect the Crow's tree when the sky goes dark?
Filled with rich storytelling, this beautiful children's book teaches young readers that "hospitality is never wasted" and that the most unlikely guest might just bring the fiercest protection.
Bonus Educational Content: Kids and parents alike will love Grandpa Owl's fun science facts at the end of the story, exploring the real-life intelligence of crows, their tool-making skills, and the terrifyingly awesome reason why they can remember a human face for up to 17 years