I didn't really care to know the way on my own,

though that was a mistake..

I could barely flap my wings hard enough to keep up with the others.

And when I started lagging behind,

exhausted, and crying out that I needed a break,

no one noticed, or answered.

Progressively, flapping as hard as I could,

panting, and slowing down,

I started going downwards, and I landed atop a tall pine tree.

Where was I?

Before I knew it, I was queen bird of the world!

The tallest pine tree in the forest.

I could see everything!

Even Marigold Valley! 

And from what Mama told me, that was pretty far away!

As I caught my breath, panting heavily, I looked up at the sky.

No one noticed I was on a tree, 

and not soaring the air.

"W... wait for me! I-I'm right here!"

I squeaked out, still catching my breath.

But no one noticed.

And eventually, I could barely even see them anymore.

They flew out of sight.

And I was left all alone..

How was I gonna fly South for the winter?

Crying to myself,

I smelled the small lavender flower that was clasped between my beak.

Lavender.

That's where I got my name from.

The beautiful, aromatic flower.

I cried some more, and I cuddled the branch I clung to on the tree.

After a little while, I looked around me.

The sight of the forest was beautiful.

The orange and red leaves upon the trees looked as though they were on fire.

A fiery forest.

Mama told me once she actually did get caught in a forest on fire.

She told me it was pretty scary.

I hope I never experience that.

Its autumn, and that means winter is coming soon.

I've never actually experienced winter before.

I wonder what it's like.

This was my first time traveling South, too. 

I wonder what that's like also.

If only I wasn't so slow.

Then I could experience it!

I need to make get to South, and reunite with Mama again!

But how?

I've already lost sight of everyone.
They've flown too far.

They're so fast,

I wish I were like them.

I have small, little wings that pick flowers rather than fly.

And my body is stubby, too...

I wonder where Mama is now.

Maybe everyone already made it to South.

Maybe they'll realize I'm gone and come back for me.

If only I knew the way myself.

I cried some more, and smelling the lavender calmed me,

and made me feel like Mama was near.

Holding it in my wings, I snuggled into the soft white pine's needles,

and fell asleep.

When I woke up,

I was surrounded by a cloudy sky.

The sun wasn't shining.

It was just one big, dreary gray blur.

I remembered where I was,

and sighed.

I decided to come up with ways to make it to South.

If only I had paid more attention to the way.
I remember Mama once told me landmarks to know my way South.

I feel bad that instead of listening to her lecture,

I was daydreaming and thinking about what flowers I wanted to pick.

If only I had listened.

I eventually settled on the lavender flower I carry with me now.

I always have it by my side.

Calming me as I cried,

it stayed with me,

as I stay with it.

It's all you really can do anymore, isn't it?

I wonder how Mama and the others are doing.

I'm the smallest of my 5 siblings,

so they're probably keeping pace and flying with ease right now.

I wanna sleep this off.

I'm tired.

Rubbing my eyes with my wing,

I drifted off to sleep,

with my nostrils full of the scent of lavender.