Word Count: 654

Perenna was asleep in her bed as the sun started to rise. The sun peeked through her windows as she slowly opened her eyes. She was tired, still not ready to get up, but she blinked sleepily as she looked towards her alarm clock. It was just the time she wanted, but Perenna couldn’t help but stare wide eyed at what sat in front of her. Perenna smiled broadly as she looked at it and then at her parents whom were standing at the door.

The little black eyes stared back at hers as she did the same. Perenna could easily identify what kind of bird it was: a cockatiel. The orange circles near its cheeks were a dead giveaway, but this was the first time she had ever been so close to one. The birds she had before were smaller and her parents had been afraid of them getting accidentally hurt. She was quite a few years younger then.

She moved her finger close to the cockatiel to let it hop on her hand before Perenna gently cuddled the bird in her hands; her movements were very careful, afraid to startle the bird, but the little guy seemed to be warming up to her already and enjoyed the attention it was getting. Perenna froze though, realizing what had happened before; she knew she’d love it no matter what, but that wasn’t the problem.

“Momma… Papa… What about the cage problem?” She looked at the cage that her parents had snuck in her room with the little bird. It looked different though, having little perches on the outside of the cage. Perenna was curiously looking at her parents as they glanced and smiled at each other before speaking.

Her father kneeled to come to Perenna’s level before speaking. “Well, we know you love birds, and we feel like you can take care of one better now. As for the cage…” He pointed out his finger to allow the bird to hop on before bringing it to a perch and letting it hop off. “Since your room is hardwood anyways, we thought that you could allow the bird out more and only really be worried about it being in a cage when it wants to be in there and/or when you want it to be in there. His previous owner tamed him so that won’t be too much of a problem.”

“Oh… You would have to clean up his messes both inside and outside of the cage. Your mother and I learned some of the things about how to take care of him, but I’m pretty sure you can do even more and maybe even teach him tricks!” His hand motioned towards the small shelf of books Perenna has already collected. Perenna was happy to see that her parents had faith in her to take care of the bird, and well for that matter.

Perenna would not disappoint! Or at least, she wouldn’t let herself. She walked over to the cockatiel and lifted up a finger to the branch. “Step up,” she told him gently. The little claws of the bird stretched out and when he was fully on, Perenna brought the bird close to her chest. “I’ll take good care of him, the best of care!”

She petted the bird gently, letting it nuzzle against her finger before she paused again. “Momma. Papa. What’s the bird’s name?”

“His name is Beau.” Her mother said gently. “A handsome name for a handsome bird.”

Perenna smiled and nodded in agreement. “Beau the bird. The name fits well! I’m sad you lost your first owner, but I hope to be better than the first and I’ll love you more too!” She kissed her pointer finger and then planted it on Beau. There was a lot of things she had to learn about him and cockatiels in general, but she was definitely ready and up for the task!