Page 20 - Mobile Magic

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At first glance, it looked quite an ordinary, little, brown bird. On closer examination one saw that its fluffy feathers were twisted and curled in intriguing spring-like patterns. The dull, brown feathers caught the light and appeared multicoloured in their iridescence. The little bird balanced lightly on Saffron's arm and chirped.
‘Hello, hello! You are now receiving my transmission. How do you do, Ronnie Rider? How do you do, Magic Fourleg?’
‘Well, thank you, bird - but what are you and how can you talk?’
‘I am, as you call me, bird. You, Ronnie, may name me Mobo. My mate, Telara sits on eggs at Rocky Knoll. Our forebears have lived in this place for thousands of earth-turns. We receive - We transmit - We ponder. Birdfolk have trouble. Rider and Fourleg have trouble. Need assistance - We help each other ...’
Saffron cut in on the bird’s speech. ‘Ok bird, I think I get your point. Your voice sounds really strange and I can’t imagine how you learnt to speak English, but if you’re nesting on Rocky Knoll, I can see why you need help! Do you know that they plan to build a shopping centre right on top of Rocky Knoll when the Green Mountain development goes ahead? Is that why you want to talk to me?’
‘Yes, Fledgeling Ronnie, Uh... Girl Ronnie, we listen when you talk to Fourleg and we know how much here means to you.’