My peacock friend, by J.C. Kavanagh

 

To order your copy of the award-winning Twisted Climb series, click here: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/J.C.-Kavanagh/author/B01H0Q9GLA?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Is it weird to have a peacock friend? I don't think so. 

Her name was Snickety. She had a brother named Percy. They belonged to my neighbour and she didn't seem to mind that I gave them names. I had written a children's book (still not published) about a Mama Pangolin, her wee son Foleydota, and a wise peacock named Persnickety. Hence the names 'Percy' and 'Snickety.'

The grandgirls holding the peachicks, Percy and Snickety.

The curious teens, Percy and Snickety at my home.

I watched them grow from peachicks to curious teens. They would visit me every day, foraging for ticks and morsels below the bird feeder. I would talk to them and entice them with bits of bread and / or peanuts. One day, Snickety arrived sans Percy. This was unusual and I contacted my neighbour.

"Hey Patricia! Snickety is here but I don't see Percy..."

There was a deep sigh on the other end. "A fox cornered him in the shed... he's gone."

Poor Patricia. And poor Snickety. That's when Snickety and I became besties. She would come over in the morning after Patricia opened the peacock pen, leaving behind her parents and the latest brood of peachicks. Whenever I worked outside in my gardens or throughout the trails, Snickety would be at my side. I would talk to her about all manner of things, and she would eyeball me intently as if understanding my every word. Each time I gave her a piece of bread, she would respond with a chirp. I interpreted that as a 'thank you,' and I would always reply with 'you're welcome.' 

Percy showing off his wee tail feathers

Snickety waiting for peanuts

Me in my happy place with my friend, Snickety

Each night, before darkness descended, I would walk Snickety home. She would follow me and my trail of bread crumbs and I would stop at the road and teach her to look both ways before we crossed. Silly, right? But she seemed to get it. I had to bring her back to her pen before dark because the wily fox was still around - she and her four kits.

Safe on my balcony.

Safe on my truck

Then one day, an emotional Patricia came to see me. 

"What - what is it?" I asked.

"Snickety... she died this morning."

We hugged each other in sorrow. That peacock was well loved. I still miss her. 

And that is my peacock-friend story. 

There are no peacocks in The Twisted Climb trilogy. But there are wolves and bats and in the final book, A Bright Darkness, you will find a beaver, a muskrat, and a malevolent sea creature named Mishibeshu, all integral to the legends of the Great Lakes Ojibwe tribes. Jayden, Connor and Max undertake a final journey to save the lost souls trapped in the danademo nde' passage - the place where the heart weeps. The novel was a finalist in the Best Young Adult book competition. Check it out!

Enjoy your days and remember to tell the ones you love that you love them :) 

J.C. Kavanagh, author of
The Twisted Climb - A Bright Darkness (Book 3) Best YA Book FINALIST at Critters Readers Poll 2022
AND
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2) voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada
AND
The Twisted Climb,
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll
Voted Best Local Author, Simcoe County, Ontario, 2021
Novels for teens, young adults and adults young-at-heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh 
www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh
Instagram @authorjckavanagh
https://www.bookswelove.com/shop/series/the-twisted-climb

https://www.amazon.ca/stores/J.C.-Kavanagh/author/B01H0Q9GLA?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.C.-Kavanagh/author/B01H0Q9GLA?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1772905830&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true