One fine Spring Morning, The Rhino decided to explore Avian Culture.

He found a Popular Feeding Spot, nestled into some dried Oak Leaves, and waited.

It wasn’t long before a Titmouse happened by in search of some tasty seed.

Being a friendly Titmouse, he greeted The Rhino with a chirp,

grabbed a seed or two, 

and was on his way to parts unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rhino calmed himself  and waited.

Along came a Blue Jay.

Blue Jays are known for not being overly friendly to strangers;

still The Rhino was excited to have been so close to such a stunning bird.

 

 

 

The Rhino calmed himself  and waited.

 Next to fly in was a Very Curious Sparrow.

In face, The Sparrow was SO Curious that The Rhino was a tad uncomfortable.

He sat Very Still and averted his eyes, as any Polite Rhino is wont to do.

Her curiosity (finally!) satisfied,

The Sparrow hopped off.

*Whew!*

 

The Rhino calmed himself  and waited.

A Robin passed by, searching for worms.

The Rhino couldn’t  help with that quest.

The Rhino calmed himself  and waited.

The next bird to approach The Rhino was a Very Chatty Cardinal.

He introduced himself to The Rhino,

pointed out some especially tasty seed,

TALKED WITH HIS BEAK FULL(!),

and, just when The Rhino thought he couldn’t bear it any longer —

flew away.

The Rhino calmed himself  and waited.

Finally, The Rhino was visited by a Very Genteel Dove

who welcomed him to the neighborhood,

answered all The Rhino’s questions,

and generally restored his faith in Birdkind.

The Next Day,

buoyed by his success at mingling with The Birds, The Rhino once again set out hoping for more Close Encounters (of the Avian kind).

He’d heard rumors of a Turkey Sighting in Another Part Of The Yard.

Upon arriving, The Rhino was TRILLED to see a Domesticated White Turkey in a Wild Cherry Tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He crept closer for a better view of this Magnificent Bird.

 The Turkey was interested in The Local Windmill, which had a platform that The Rhino thought would be The Perfect Spot for his observations.

Alas! The Rhino did not take the windmill’s blades into account.

As he stood on the platform, the whirling blades SEVERED his Right Ear!

Yes. The Rhino found himself the victim of an Involuntary Ear-ectomy.

:~(

Horrified, a massive Ear Hunt ensued, but the missing appendage was not found. 

And ever since, The Rhino has been known as

Vincent Van Gone.

(A Rhino Adventurer of Some Renown.)