American Kestrel

I soared into the barn, wings flapping. I landed on top of a hay bale and began to prune my bright wings and back. I called out, ''Screech, screech." No answer. Annoyed (the General was always late), I ruffled my feathers. And then - froze. A mouse. It scuttled from under a hay bale, rubbing its whiskers. It moved forward, picked up a piece of corn and gnawed on it. I craned my head this way and that, waiting for the right second. Though before I could make a surprise attack, another mouse hurried out. I took aim at the first one and swoop. No! My bright plumage gave me away. The first mouse scuttled to safety but the second mouse...

I perched back on top of the hay bale. Pride soared inside me. I nibbled on the lifeless mouse and then hid it under a pile of hay. Suddenly a "screech" filled my ears. Finally they were here. Five more American kestrels that looked almost exactly like myself flew in. The only difference we each had our own unique badge. They landed on top of the hay bale. The biggest one had a green badge and spoke up first: "I see you have beaten us here, Captain Bright Head." I nodded ''Yes, General Blue."