The Humming Feather

Chapter 1: The Humming Feather

Afternoon sun on the canal. ⟨Character 1⟩, six years old, walks the towpath beside her ⟨home⟩, eyes on the ground.

⟨Character 1⟩: Feather, feather, where are you? I’ve got a pigeon one and a duck one and a black one that might be a crow. But I want a big one today. A really big one.

⟨Character 1⟩: Wait. What’s that? There, by the dandelion. It’s grey and long and soft. Oh, it’s beautiful!

⟨Character 1⟩: It’s humming! Like a bee in a jar. Bzzzzzz. No, quieter. Like a tiny motor. Hello, feather. Are you talking to me?

⟨Character 1⟩: I’m going to follow you. You’re pulling me along the path. This way? Okay, feather, lead on. I’m right behind you.

Tilly walks along the canal, feather in hand. A heron stands in the shallows, still as a stone.

⟨Character 1⟩: Hello, heron. You’re very tall. Do you know about this feather? It hums. It’s grey and it’s leading me somewhere. Have you seen a bird with feathers like this?

Heron: The heron doesn’t speak, but it turns its head slowly. It points its long beak toward the old willow tree downstream. Then it lifts one foot and sets it down again, as if to say: go on.

⟨Character 1⟩: The willow tree? That big one with the droopy branches? Thank you, heron. I’ll go there. Come on, feather.

Tilly passes the lock keeper’s hut. The lock keeper leans out of the window.

Lock Keeper: Afternoon, Tilly. That’s a fine feather. Where are you off to?

⟨Character 1⟩: To the willow tree! The heron said so. My feather hums, and I’m following it. Do you know why it hums?

Lock Keeper: Well, now. I’ve heard a swan humming near that willow. Soft and low, like a lullaby. Maybe your feather belongs to that swan.

⟨Character 1⟩: A swan! That’s a big bird. I’m going to find it. Thank you, Mr. Lock Keeper!

Tilly hurries along the path, the feather humming in her hand.

Chapter 2: The Swan’s Secret

Late afternoon light under the old willow tree. Tilly stands at the water’s edge, feather in her hand.

⟨Character 1⟩: There. A swan. Sitting on a nest of twigs. And it’s humming. The same hum as my feather. The very same tune. Hummmmmm.

⟨Character 1⟩: That’s it. That’s where you came from, feather. You’re one of the swan’s. It hums to its eggs. To keep them warm and sleepy. My feather finds its way back.

⟨Character 1⟩: I’ll hum too. Hummmmm. Hummmmm. Easy now, little eggs. The swan looks at me. It’s not cross. It’s humming along.

Tilly follows the feather home along the canal, past purple loosestrife and still water. The sun drops low.

On the ⟨home⟩, Tilly climbs into bed and sets the feather on her pillow. The lanterns glow.

⟨Character 1⟩: I followed you all the way, feather. And I found the swan. Now you hum me to sleep. Hummmmm. It’s getting quieter. The swan is settling down too.

The hum fades to nothing. Tilly’s eyes close. The feather rests on the pillow, and the canal is still.