THE CROW & THE SCARECROW by Cathy Zhang Qihua (age 16)
Coordinator for Maple Leaf International Academy: Mirjana Petrovic-Filipovic
School: Maple Leaf International Academy, Shenzhen, China

A strange dark spot appeared in the sky, gliding and becoming closer and closer. Soon, we could recognize clearly that it was a crow.

The crow was starving and exhausted. When he saw this endless, golden wheat field, he swallowed hard and angrily found that his wings became harder to flap.

However, he caught sight of a wooden body that stood up straight in the centre of the wheat field. The scarecrow wore a straw hat and an old blue shirt. Buttons didn't button up; thin cloth swayed in the wind, which looked transparent in the sun.

A guard of the wheat field.

Crow didn't care about his attire. He knew clearly that no scarecrow would say hi friendly to an unlovable crow. If everything were as expected, the crow would never be a thief and provoke the guard. However, he was badly in need of food and rest now. So he hid behind clouds and tried to sneak in.

He failed. The scarecrow spotted him as soon as the crow saw him. Scarecrow called, “Hey you, the sharp beak bird!”

His intention was exposed. Crow turned embarrassedly and dashed forward.

Scarecrow shouted in a louder voice, “You look so tired. Why don’t you have a rest? Don’t run away!

Crow hesitated. Scarecrow invited again, “Come here!”

“You're a scarecrow, and I am a crow.” Crow walked up to him in all sincerity, “Do you know why you got this name?” His feathers were windblown and tousled, looking like an irregularly shaped coal lump.

“Of course, I know.” Scarecrow replied, “But I don't think you, a lonely bird, can harm the whole field. So, why don’t you have some food here?”

Crow recalled other guards he met in the field on his way; each of them chased him rudely. The hungry bird said thank you gratefully and pecked the nearest ear of wheat.

“Where are you from?” Scarecrow asked.

“The north.” Crow readily answered, “It is quite far from here, beyond numerous mountains and rivers.”

Once I went on a lengthy trip with a big family. The murder decided to migrate to the South to escape the cold weather. They overflew the snow-covered plain, the trackless wood, and the shimmering stream in the sun. I will never forget the steep cliff I slept on during dark, cold nights, and the dewdrops condensed on the leaves in dawns only to moisten his throat. Each pitch-black feather arranged on wings had been washed by sunlight, drizzle, snowflake, and mist. I loved the incredible landscape, but the scenery couldn't help me when and could not keep pace with the murder. Finally, I was abandoned by it and became a lost rover.

“Wow.” Scarecrow gasped in admiration, “Could you tell me something about your journey? I really want to know it, please. If I have wings……no, provided I can walk, I would go somewhere far away. But…”

But he took roots in the wheat field for which he was born. He witnessed countless fantastic sunrises but had never seen a sunset because he could not turn around. The wheat field was his whole world. There were no differences between him and the scenery, like mountains or trees to some degree. They all stood there for years, passively accepting marks bestowed by time.

Crow has eaten his wheat; he wouldn’t refuse the scarecrow’s request. He told him everything, from the howling wind in the north's winter to the blossom in the spring of the south.

Eventually, he said, “If possible, I don't feel like I could do that one more time.” It was really challenging. Although the scenery was excellent, it couldn’t ignite the urge to travel again, “My dream now is to occupy a wheat field and sleep or eat in it whenever I like.”

Scarecrow knew he was not serious. If crow really disliked the experience, his eyes wouldn’t glow so brightly. They were the proof that he would not adapt to an easy and comfortable life.

He also knew that most people were only interested in something that didn't belong to them. Should we go beyond the need for quantity?! Otherwise, even the best thing will become less attractive. If the crow is the guard of the field, he will not need wheat anymore.

“If the field is yours,” Scarecrow tranquility asked, “Will you still shelter homeless, lonely birds?”

Crow smiled, “Of course.” he said.

Coordinator for Maple Leaf International Acadamy: Mirjana Petrovic-Filipovic School: Maple Leaf International Academy, Shenzhen, China