Frightful's Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Author:Jean Craighead George [George, Jean Craighead]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens
ISBN: 9781419356315
Google: UJJOMQEACAAJ
Amazon: 0141312351
Barnesnoble: 0141312351
Goodreads: 641991
Publisher: Puffin
Published: 1999-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

PEREGRINES ARE NOBLE.

WAIT ONE MONTH TO REPAIR

THE BRIDGE.

IT TAKES ONLY THIRTY-ONE DAYS

FOR A BABY FALCON TO HATCH.

IT TOOK MILLIONS OF YEARS

TO MAKE THE FALCONS.

STOP THE BRIDGE REPAIRS.

SAVE THE PEREGRINES.

WE HAVEN’T FALLEN IN THE RIVER YET.

POSTPONE THE BRIDGE REPAIRS.

LET THE FALCONS RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

SAVE THE PEREGRINE. SAVE US.

WE ARE NATURE, TOO.

By the time the parade reached the Delhi Bridge, there were about thirty youngsters. Beaming parents and curious townspeople stood on the sidewalks, watching.

Joe Cassini had been warned about the parade and had come to work early. He stepped out to meet the protesters.

“Go on home or you’ll be arrested,” he said, shooing the kids away with gestures.

Molly stepped forward, trembling but determined.

“We just want you to stop repairing the bridge until the end of June,” she piped.

Jose was emboldened by her courage. “That’s all the time the falcons need to grow up and fly away.”

Hughie beat out a roll on the drum.

Cassini crossed his arms on his chest. “Go home,” he repeated.

“I can’t believe you don’t care,” said Molly, backing away. “These are endangered falcons. And they are going to have babies.”

“It ain’t my decision,” the foreman stated firmly. “Orders come from Albany. Tell them.”

“We did,” said Maria Carlos, who was wearing a peregrine T-shirt she had designed. “They don’t see any problem.”

“Neither do I,” said Cassini. “The bird is still up there, isn’t she? We haven’t scared her off. What’s the big deal? Now, get going.” He walked toward them.

“No,” said Molly.

Leon Longbridge came running up to her.

“Come on, Molly. This way, Hughie,” he said. “Let’s go into town. We’ll march down Main Street.”

Glad for the suggestion, the kids turned around and walked up Elm Street to Main. Cars slowed; pedestrians stopped. Parents confessed to strangers and each other that they never had the least interest in falcons until their children told them about the peregrines of the Delhi Bridge. They were furious that the state wouldn’t stop work until the little birds got on wing. The crowd wasn’t large, but the police chief recognized an awakening “situation” when he saw one. He called for more officers.

Then he led the parade to the park in front of the courthouse and let the falcon lovers wave their signs at passing cars.

“Save the peregrines,” shouted Jose. A TV cameraman and a newswoman jumped out of a van, looked over the kids, and walked up to Jose.

“What is your name?” the newswoman asked, holding the mike close to his face.

“Jose Cruz, first baseman on the school team. I am ten years old and I am in the fifth grade. I want to grow up and become a falconer.”

“Thank you. You’ve answered the first question fully. Now the big one.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think it’s more important to save a peregrine falcon nest or mend a dangerous bridge?”

“Save the peregrine falcons,” Jose answered clearly. “Save the peregrine falcons!” a cluster of nearby kids echoed.

“But what about people? Aren’t they important?”

“They have a detour,” Jose said. “Save the peregrine falcons,” he repeated. The other kids cheered and stuck their posters in front of the camera.

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