Little Blog believes economics is for the birds. Or at least, that birds do have a productive role to play in our financial system.
“Sunshine, I worked out how birds make money,” she tells her big sister after breakfast one morning.
Sunshine is more interested in the science of it than the economics: “How did you work that out, Little Blog?” she asks.
Little Blog: “It’s easy. I watched Dad throw out the bread crumbs for the birds.”
Dad is baffled: “So how do birds make money, Little Blog?”
Little Blog: “Well, they don’t always make money from it.”
Dad: “When do they make money from it, Little Blog?”
Little Blog: “It’s when the bread crumbs are hard.”
Dad: “What happens when the bread crumbs are hard?”
Little Blog: “Then the birds eat the crumbs, and it breaks their teeth. Then the bird fairy comes and gives them money for their teeth. That’s how they get money to buy things.”

Little Blog is home from holidays at last, and can’t wait to play with her dog again. But first, she must give him his food and water. She watches intently as he drinks from his bowl. Then she turns those big eyes to Mom:

“Mommy, how do dogs work?”

She should be used to those questions by now, but for a few moments Mom is speechless, caught between astonishment and holding back a gale of laughter. Then she regains her composure.

“What do you mean, Little Blog?”

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Little Blog’s big sister, Sunshine, is explaining what happened when the fish were released. She tells Little Blog that, when Eager was set free, he briefly turned back to look up at her.

“He was saying goodbye and thank you, Little Blog.”

“I think you’re a good mom, Sunshine. I don’t think his mom will be cross with you.”

“Thank you, Little Blog. And you know what?”

“What, Sunshine?”



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On a cloudy day and a wind-swept beach, Little Blog and Sunshine go back to the rock pool to set free their new pets. Dad tells them the story of the lions in the movie Born Free, and sings the first lines from the theme song.

As Sunshine tips the pail into the water, four of the little creatures zip away and disappear under the rocks. The girls burst into song: “Born free! Free as the wind blows!”

Then they realise two of the little creatures aren’t moving.

“Oh no, they died!” shouts Little Blog. “We’ll have to bury them!”

“You don’t bury fish, Litle Blog,” Sunshine gently corrects her. “You just put up stones for them.”

Sunshine and Little Blog quickly find two smooth stones on the beach, and drop it into the water. Dad refuses to say a prayer for the dead.

Little Blog and her big sister, Sunshine, have caught half a dozen tiny fish.

Correction: Little Blog’s sister, and her Mom and Dad, on behalf of Little Blog, have caught half a dozen tiny fish. Some are little more than insects, but shaped like fish, so they have been declared honorary fish, and Little Blog and Sunshine are their honorary parents.

Little Blog’s Mom has been declared officially cool, after being bitten by a crab AND catching two fish for her. Little Blog gazes at her in open adoration.

“I love fishing!” declares Little Blog.

“What are you going to call them?” asks Mom.

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