A Song of Frost

Date/Timing: 28 December 1992
Setting: Gottlieb home; Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Inspired by a series of comments on "Fledging" by MoiraColleen
Notes: The bird calls, in order, are: Little owl, boreal owl, Long-eared owl, Tawny owl, Eurasian blackbird, Greenfinch, and Eurasian pygmy owl
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Hermann sits cross-legged on his bed, admiring his new book with pictures of birds with Little Widdershins.
„Hello, Hermann,“ greets Mother as she enters.
He sets the book aside. „Hello, Mazur!“
Mother sits in the rocking chair, notebook in her lap, pen in her hand. „Would you sing for me?“
„Yes!“ Hermann sits up straighter.
„Let's start with your first song.“
Hermann chirps, like the kittens born under the hedge that summer had.
„Beautiful!“
„Sank you!“
„How about the tree song?“
Hermann puffs a single note, breaking it into little pieces with his tongue.
„Lovely! What about the big ear song?“
Hermann pushes a round sound from his chest.
„Well done! You've been practicing.“
Hermann nods.
„Good, good.“ Mother writes. „Do you remember the plain song?“
„Yes!“ he says, then makes a chesty trill.
„Very good. Go on.“
Hermann chirps pretty notes, ends with a /squack.
„Oh! Did you teach yourself that song?“ 
Hermann puffs up. „Yes!“ Shyly, „You like it?“
Mother smiles her glowiest smile at him. „It's very pretty.“ She makes a note „Was that a blackbird?“
Hermann nods. „Backbird.“
„Have you taught yourself any others?“
Hermann trills quickly and high.
„Greenfinch?“
„Wittle deen bird?“
„Yes, green like new leaves.“
„Yes. deenfish.“
„Are there more new songs?“
Hermann smiles through a long string of notes which swoop up and down.
Mother tilts her head. „I've never heard that one before. Did you see the bird which sang it?“
Hermann shakes his head sadly.
„Oh, well.“ Taps her pen against her lips. „When did you learn it?“
„Before Kismis.“
Mother writes quickly, murmurs, „This is /wonderful. I /must test him more often.“ Smiles at Hermann again. „Any more?“
Hermann hangs his head.
„That's alright. How about the little song?“
Hermann /wheeks, follows it with a stutter of notes.
„Excellent! Thank you, Hermann.“
„Yourewelcome!“
Mother stands, pats Hermann's head, and leaves.
Hermann watches her go, then hugs Little Widdershins from side to side and grins so big his face hurts.
Mother's steps go down the stairs.
Hermann sings the new, long song again as he picks up his book.
Deedee pokes his head in the doorway.
„Deedee!“
„Manny!“ cheers Deedee. „You like Jack Frost's song?“
Hermann nods enthusiastically. „Mazur likes it!“
„It's a great tune.“
Hermann beams.
„I'm going downstairs for a snack. Would you like one, too?“
„Yes!“ replies Hermann, tucking Little Widdershins under his arm, sliding off the bed, and skipping over to Deedee, whistling the new song.
Deedee joins in and they go down the stairs.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Garmisch-Partenkirchen (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Birgit
Category:Birgit (ficlet)
Category:Dietrich
Category:Dietrich (ficlet)
Category:Hermann is part owl
Category:Ficlets with images