Being “The Only Blue Crow”

Why is it sometimes useful to ponder the life of a lonely blue crow?

Por Tuula Pere

01 de April de 2020

Illustration by Catty Flores

Being “The Only Blue Crow”

Why is it sometimes useful to ponder the life of a lonely blue crow?

I can give you many reasons – and they don’t have anything to do with evolution, biology, or animal behavior. To me, as a children’s writer, it’s important to find metaphors that help to approach difficult issues in children’s lives.

The only blue crow can help us to discuss delicate subjects with extra care. In fact, as we follow the life and obstacles of this mysterious creature, we don’t really have to know what the “problem” is. Children’s imagination and their own experiences will fill the gaps in that respect.

Maybe the crow represents a shy child, who doesn’t like the general hassle, or him, who prefers playing violin instead of ice-hockey? Perhaps the lonely crow is an adopted child who feels not entirely at home in the new family. Some disability or poverty can limit one’s life, too.

Much of our confidence depends on how we adapt to our family, relatives, school, hobbies, or work. The ideal would naturally be that everybody of us has possibilities, courage, and support enough to be true to own’s one personality, tendencies, and goals.

There are many lonely blue crows among us, though. Last year, I met a mother whose child was going to start school the following autumn. But there was a dark cloud hanging over the new plans. The child was born with a physical feature that would surely be noticed by the new classmates. Never before had the child been worried about it, but going to school was different. The happy expectations were disturbed by the fear of being “the only blue crow.”

As we discussed the situation with this mother, I promised to write my story about the subject ready as soon as possible and have it published.

I have kept the promise, and “The Only Blue Crow” is already written, and illustration is on its way. I genuinely hope that this particular schoolchild has had a wonderful first year and made many new friends.

As adults, we can encourage children to respect and accept different characteristics in others and ourselves. The better the balance there is between our features and the others around, the more natural is the example we give as grown-ups to those, who are just learning to fly!