Hello and welcome. This time, Explora Natura offers you a series of stories and tales for the enjoyment of the youngest members of the family, especially relevant now that we have to stay home. #stayhome.

It turns out Entertaining and fun Let's take some time out of our day to read to our loved ones, especially our little ones. So, from now on, don't miss the stories of our nature friends that we'll be publishing to share with you. Without further ado, here is our first edition of stories about animals.

Spoon

It was one of those lovely sunny days that dawned, and every little creature seemed to be celebrating. Dragonflies flitted their silvery wings along the lake shore. Bees and butterflies visited each of the rosemary flowers that had opened that April morning to greet the day. A tireless army of worker ants carried seeds to their buried storehouse. Everything seemed to be going perfectly.

Everything? Not everything!

A heartbroken cry came from the rushes that grew beneath the great willow. Cucharín, one of the ducklings, was crying inconsolably. Her mother approached, saddened.

"What's wrong, Cucharín?" he asked.

And the young duck, taking a deep breath and drying his tears with the feathers of his wing, said: "Mom, I'm ugly and clumsy. Why?".

–Who told you that, my love? You're gorgeous.

"What are you going to say, you're my mother," Cucharín said. "Haven't you seen how big my beak is? It's not like the hoopoe's, thin, curved, and elegant.".

The mother smiled. "Let's see, you've always said you admired humans, haven't you?"

–Yes, Mom –the young man replied, paying attention.

"Well, they, whom you admire so much, when they go to eat they use something similar to your beak, a spoon. That means that they find what nature gave you useful.".

The little duckling wiped the tears from his eyes. For a moment he had been fascinated. The humans imitated him to eat. But then, he burst into tears again. "Yes, Mama, but I'm clumsy. Haven't you seen the greyhound run? It's agile and fast.".

Mama Duck, stroking Cucharín with her beak, said: "It's true that greyhounds are fast, but so are we.".

"Us?" he asked, surprised.

"Of course, my son. We can cover the same distance as the greyhound, even in less time. And we do it flying. We can also do it while enjoying the scenery, seeing things from the sky. Besides, the greyhound is a fast animal, but it tires quickly. You, on the other hand, will one day be able to cover enormous distances. You might even be able to travel through several countries.".

Cucharín, feeling a bit more cheerful, stopped crying.

–And what about our voice, we only go “quack, quack”, while other birds, like the nightingale, have beautiful songs.

Cucharín's mother smiled again. "It's true that nightingales have a melodious song, but their colors are brown, and they live hidden among the brambles, where no one can see them. We, on the other hand, live in the center of the lagoon, where everyone can see us. Our feathers are a reflection of beauty, especially in the males. Look at your father, who also has beautiful yellow eyes, and a green mirror adorns our wings. What does it matter that we only quack if we are beautiful animals?".

Then Cucharín, much more animated, struck an elegant pose and said to his mother: –You're right!

–Of course, my son. Everyone should try to be happy as they are, without envying the qualities of others, because all animals should try to live happily with their flaws and virtues.

Cucharín flapped his wings happily and flew to the center of the lagoon to join his brothers. Now he was happy.

Did you enjoy it? More stories coming soon to https://exploranatura.es/

Antonio Pestana

Antonio Jesús Pestana Salido (Cabra, Córdoba, 1970) is an Andalusian ornithologist and nature photographer, specializing in birds and the interpretation of the Mediterranean landscape. From childhood, he has been involved in the study and observation of wildlife, and has spent decades exploring the natural areas of Andalusia, especially the Subbética region of Córdoba.

He is a nationally awarded nature photographer, winner of the first prize in the Carl Zeiss nature photography competition (4th edition) with a digiscoping image of a common crossbill, in addition to other recognitions in specialized bird photography competitions.

As a field ornithologist, he has participated in bird monitoring and conservation projects, especially for birds of prey and steppe birds, and has served as provincial coordinator in Córdoba for the Montagu's and hen harrier censuses. He is also president of the Abanto naturalist association, dedicated to the dissemination and conservation of natural heritage.

He is the author of several books on Iberian fauna and popular culture published by specialized publishers, including "Iberian birds in popular culture" and "Iberian diurnal birds of prey in popular culture," works that compile proverbs, beliefs and traditions related to birds in popular culture.

In addition to his work as an author and photographer, he develops outreach and environmental education activities, leading nature outings, giving bird photography workshops and collaborating with educational centers, associations and nature tourism projects.
She regularly works with schools, designing wildlife observation activities adapted for primary and secondary school students. She also collaborates with companies and associations on birdwatching tours, teaches nature photography courses, and participates in the design of natural areas.