56. Scuttle and the New Visitor

It was a very important day in the yard. Everyone was very excited. They took pictures, and made notes. A new visitor came, and got everyone's attention. Who could that be? Ariel asked Attina. That, replied Attina, is a ceremony. A what? Melody asked nervously. A ceremony is an enterprising day. Attina answered. My worker said we get the chance to talk to him. Oh! Ariel thought. Maybe he's too special to realize us. Then, Scuttle came. Ha! he said. ''Nobody cares! just a bit of nonsense!'' And he walked off. That night, the sea creatures saw that the new arrival wasn't vain. He liked talking to all his new friends, until the stars appeared. He was gone the next morning. Scuttle was still grumbling. Oh, good! he yelled. ''Talking all night! Who was that guy anyway? Attina just said, Ariel explained, he's special. As special as me? Oh, trash! More special than you. He went 100 miles in 1 hour before you even got here. Pah! So you say! I don't like how he looks! He doesn't have feathers! Do not trust no-feathered birds! They have no respect! I wouldn't brag, but 100 miles in 1 hour is easy for me! See ya'!" Attina took carts to Ray-Ray's junction. Hi, there! Ray-Ray said. The special visitor came out here today. He eeked at me. Isn't he nice? He's the best visitor ever. thought Attina. Then, she told Ray-Ray about Scuttle. Ignore him. calmed Ray-Ray. He's just jealous. He thinks there's no one better than him. Look! Here he comes! Scuttle went very fast His feet was racing across the ground. If he does it, I can! If he does it, I can! Soon, Scuttle's wagons were out of sight. He's soon gonna fall apart. laughed Attina. Scuttle's worker calmed him down. Go steady, Scuttle! We're not in a race! Well, we are! Scuttle complained. But he told himself that. Scuttle soon felt funny. My feathers are coming loose! thought Scuttle. They feel like they're coming off! I'll go slower. But it didn't help. On the bridge, the wind blew hard. The teasing wind was very firm with big blows. Scuttle thought it wanted to make him fall off the bridge. Oh, no! he cried. But the wind had a mind of its own. It swirled around Scuttle's skin, went under his feathers, and blew them off far below. Scuttle felt very akward. The wind was where his feathers used to be, and he felt cold without them. At the junction, the carts teased him. Scuttle wanted to squawk at them. But they still chuckled. On the way back home, he wanted his worker to go back and get his feathers. We can't find them now. the worker said. You need to go to the fix-it yard to get some new ones. Scuttle was upset. I hope that there's no one in bed. he said. But the others were waiting for him. Do not trust no-feathered birds. a voice said from behind Scuttle. They have no respect. by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch