Just Curious Perhaps

Tim is worried about a bird sitting on a power line. 300-word flash

Just Curious Perhaps

Tim had been staring out the window for an hour. Finally, his dad noticed and asked: “What are you watching, son?”
“There is a bird sitting on the power line. He hasn’t moved for all the time I’ve been watching. Do you think its toes are frozen to it?”
His dad came to stand beside him. “I’m not sure, I hope not. Birds are pretty smart. He’s looking for food.”
“Can I feed it and its friends?”
“I’m sure there’s something you can crumble for them.”
Tim ran into the kitchen. Soon his dad smelt popcorn. After a few minutes, Tim came to get his coat. He set down the pan of popcorn, peanut butter and bread bits made into balls.
“That looks good enough for us to eat,”
Tim gave him a disgusted look. “It’s for the birds, Dad!” On that, he ran out the door. His dad watched him run across the street. He put the food under the power line.
He was soon back in because he’d forgotten his hat and mittens. Tim waited to see if the bird on the wire flew down to the food. Nothing.
“Dad, I think that poor bird IS frozen to the line. We gotta help him!” Tim said tearfully.
“I’m gonna call for expert help, son. Mr. Ferguson at the zoo knows about all kinds of birds, I’ll check with him.”
Tim was jumping from one foot to the other anxiously. Then he saw a zoo vehicle pull up and Mr. Ferguson got out. He climbed the pole using lineman’s spikes. He shook the line. The bird didn’t move. Mr. Ferguson climbed down.
Then his dad’s cell rang. He listened then hung up.
“The bird isn’t real. Someone put it there for a joke,” Dad told Tim.