“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank
Peter Cheater, web-slinger of dishonesty
suffered from kindness poverty
He lied, stole, cajoled oodles, kits, caboodles
from humans, to butterflies to labradoodles
Penelope had the world on a string
Thunderstruck, Peter’s ‘petered out’ heart began singing
Penelope received more by giving
without expectation or misgivings
Shamed by ill-gotten gains
Peter harangued a self-blame campaign
“Begin with self-forgiveness,
redemption, compassion. Be fearless!”
Bemused by his new muse’s request
Peter returned hijacked bling from his nest
Of name-calling, he’s deserving
but was unprepared for the joy of serving
Peter discovered the treasure of giving.
His hollow brick heart brimmed with living!
When I saw the pleasantly puffed plumage and toes wrapped around wires up high. I smiled. I though it would be uncomfortable. The happy bird stayed there for hours enjoying the water views.
Watching dozens of Pelis rush for food flung from a fisherman, I thought of how some humans’ manipulate, struggle or vie for ‘a prize’. The reward of doing something for another, is a far greater yield. I’d rather co-operate than compete. What do you think about pelicans, co-operation and kindness?
Inspired by the songs Solitaire, I’ve got the world on a string and Thunderstruck
As this is Singing Saturday, If you have a post with, about or inspired by music or lyrics, link up in the comments below. Or if you’d like to say hi, we’d love to hear from you. 🙂
Enkindled by
Words: Featured Fiction #38, MLMM-Surprise, SoCS and Carrot Ranch-Muse
Photo: Cee’s B&W Challenge, The Weekend in B & W, Skywatch Friday and Nature Notes
Is that a Pelican ?? Looks so cute, all fluffed out on that string 🙂 Nice click !
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Thanks, I was following the pelicans for days. It was such fun! 🙂
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awesome shot !! 🙂
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Thanks so much Andy.
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What a fun photo! I never realised a pelican could sit on a wire. Such an unusual view.
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Thanks Dragonstar. I didn’t realise they held on with their toes! I was amazed how long it stayed there.
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I love the Carpenters but I can hardly listen anymore without crying ….. but also smiling. 🙂
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They were wonderfully talented.
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Here’s to pelicans, cooperation and kindness!
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Absolutely! 😀 Cheers.
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Wonderful photos for this week’s theme. Thanks for playing.
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Thanks Cee 🙂
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Giving is really a way of living in this busy life 🙂
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I agree. It’s a beautiful way to live. 🙂
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Love it 🙂 So fun, so entertaining and with a powerful message. I agree with the others too – it’s an awesome shot. The characterization is a delight.
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Thank you Melissa. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Writing Room 101 and commented:
Fun from LHN for this week’s prompt at Featured Fiction. A hidden treasure 🙂
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Very funny, the stork is a tightrope …!
http://lafotografiaefectistaabstracta.blogspot.com.es/
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Love your work, thanks for joining in.
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That’s such a beautiful and inspiring observation! Love the poem and how succinctly you made it 99 words. I think birds are wonderful muses. It feels so dynamic when the migratory birds come through my pond. Right now, a belted kingfisher is hunting the pond. Thanks for tying in your observations to the muse prompt!
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Thanks Charli. I love watching animals and was enchanted while photographing pelicans for a few days. I’ve only seen photos of the Belted Kingfisher. They are stunning to look at. It must be amazing watching them dive in your pond.
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Nice post – sorry – no music from me! But I do have pelicans! I am always amazed at the places they sit!
Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne
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Thanks Stewart. When I first saw Pelicans sitting on the top of poles on a bridge, I thought, those are cool sculptures. Then one flew off! 😀
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I love the picture – he looks so precarious up there! And the poem was fun! 😀
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Thanks Linda. It looks like a balancing act! 🙂
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I think he missed the class in Pelican School that taught them Pelicans generally don’t sit on electrical wires…. Mind you, there’s always one who has to be different. 😀
It always made me laugh when all the fuss about “Positive Psychology” hit the news. Who would have thought that doing something for someone else without any expectation of return would make you feel good? [eye roll]
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He obviously doesn’t watch TV. There are ads on here about steering clear of Electric wires all the time! I agree about the ‘Positive Psychology’, it seems obvious. 😀
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LOVE this picture! and really liked what you wrote! Great job!
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Thanks so much for your kind words. 🙂
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Wow! Best pelican shot ever! 👏👏. They are such funny birds. One could never believe the pelican could be comfortable sitting there. There was an old saying ‘you could sleep on a clothes line’ if someone was a good sleeper! Looks like Mr Pelican could do that. 😊.
And it’s funny how giving always comes back to you.
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Thanks, I was lucky to meet Mr Pelican. I haven’t heard of sleeping on a clothes line. I can’t even go to sleep in a bed. I believe Mr Pelican could sleep anywhere. Hope you’re having a ball in Melbourne. 😀
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What a nice post for Nature Notes…. It does look as though it would be uncomfortable on that wire…. Cute bird….. Thank you… Michelle
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Hi Michelle, I just found your comment in the spam folder. Thanks so much. Nature Notes is wonderful. Comments seem to disappear sometimes.
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How fun! I would think it’s uncomfortable, too, but what do I know! Great capture.
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Thanks Betty. It doesn’t look comfy to me either. But he or she was pretty happy there. The view is lovely. 🙂
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Congratulations! I have selected your post to be featured on Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/11/13/cees-black-white-challenge-lines-and-angles/
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Thanks so much Cee, That’s so kind of you! 😀 It’s such a joy to visit your blog. I love your photos and the prompts you come up with. It’s fun checking out all the entries too. Have a magnificent weekend. 🔆
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You are welcome. Hope your weekend is remarkable.
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wow great balance. It would’ve made me smile too
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I wouldn’t have thought it possible, if I hadn’t seen it! 🙂
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I tried to like your post, but it keeps going to the end of the page. I love your subject matter!
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Oh dear. Sorry about that. Thanks so much for your kind words.😀
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I’ve never seen a bird that big on a wire. How cute!
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I am continously amazed an delighted by animals! 🙂
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I love the photo! 🙂
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Thanks, Natasha, Pelicans are so much fun! 😀
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What a cool shot. Pelicans are awesome.
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Thanks. They’re so much fun to watch.
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