Nina and the Baby Sparrows
About the Story
What it is about: NINA has been invited to her COUSIN'S WEDDING. She is very excited — but she is WORRIED about the BABY SPARROWS in her room. Who will feed them while she is gone?
The Story
Nina was very HAPPY. Her COUSIN was getting MARRIED! She was going to the WEDDING with her family. She would wear a NEW dress, eat SWEETS, and dance!
But Nina had a PROBLEM.
In her room, on a shelf, there was a SPARROW'S NEST with THREE BABY SPARROWS. The mother sparrow would come to feed them. But at the wedding, Nina would be AWAY for TWO DAYS and TWO NIGHTS.
'Who will feed the baby sparrows?' Nina asked her mother.
'Don't worry,' said Mummy. 'The mother sparrow will take care of them.'
'But what if the mother sparrow does not come when we are away for so long?' asked Nina.
'Then we will NOT go to the wedding,' said Nina's father.
Nina was SAD. She wanted to go to the wedding, but she also CARED about the baby sparrows.
The next day, Nina had an IDEA! She opened the WINDOW of her room — wide open. Now the mother sparrow could FLY IN and OUT freely to feed her babies.
'Now we can GO to the wedding!' Nina said happily.
Everyone was happy. Nina went to the wedding, had a WONDERFUL time, and the BABY SPARROWS were SAFE!
The Characters
| Character | About Them | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Nina | A kind, caring girl | Worries about the baby sparrows |
| Nina's mother | Understanding | Tries to reassure Nina |
| Nina's father | Supportive | Says they will not go without solving the problem |
| Baby sparrows | Three tiny birds | Need to be fed by their mother |
| Mother sparrow | Parent bird | Feeds her babies in the nest |
The Problem and Solution
The Problem
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| The event | Nina's cousin's wedding |
| Duration | 2 days and 2 nights away |
| Concern | The baby sparrows need FOOD |
| Who feeds them? | The mother sparrow |
| What could go wrong? | The mother might not be able to get in |
The Solution
| Step | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nina opened the WINDOW wide |
| 2 | The mother sparrow could now ENTER freely |
| 3 | The baby sparrows would be FED |
| 4 | Nina could go to the wedding HAPPILY |
What We Can Learn
1. Empathy for Animals
Nina CARES about the baby sparrows. She puts their NEEDS ahead of her own FUN.
2. Responsibility
If we have birds or animals in our care, we are RESPONSIBLE for them. We cannot just leave them.
3. Problem-Solving
Instead of WORRYING, Nina FOUND a SOLUTION. She opened the window so the mother sparrow could come in and out.
4. Family Support
Nina's parents LISTENED to her concern and supported her. They said they would SKIP the wedding if needed. That is FAMILY LOVE!
Sparrows in India
Did You Know?
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Passer domesticus (house sparrow) |
| Size | Small — about 14-16 cm |
| Food | Grains, seeds, small insects |
| Nest | Builds nests in holes, ledges, under roofs |
| Eggs | 3-5 eggs at a time |
| Lifespan | About 3-5 years |
Sparrows are Becoming Rare
In many cities, sparrows are DISAPPEARING because:
- Old houses with TILES are replaced by modern buildings
- Gardens and TREES are cut down
- Use of PESTICIDES kills insects that sparrows eat
- Lack of WATER for drinking
How to Help Sparrows
- Keep a BOWL of water in your balcony
- Hang a BIRD FEEDER with grains
- GROW plants and trees near your home
- KEEP small openings in your home for them
- DO NOT use harmful chemicals in your garden
Activities
Activity 1: Make a Bird Feeder
You need: An empty plastic bottle or coconut shell
- Cut a HOLE in the side
- Fill with GRAINS (rice, wheat, millet)
- TIE a string and hang it outside
- Watch the SPARROWS visit!
Activity 2: Observe Birds
Spend 15 minutes watching BIRDS near your home:
| What to Observe | Notes |
|---|---|
| How many sparrows do you see? | |
| What are they doing? | |
| What colour are they? | |
| Do they make sounds? |
Activity 3: Draw Baby Sparrows
Draw a NEST with THREE baby sparrows. Show their OPEN BEAKS waiting for food!
Words to Learn
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wedding | A marriage ceremony |
| Sparrow | A small brown-grey bird |
| Nest | A bird's home made of twigs and grass |
| Feed | To give food |
| Worry | To feel anxious or concerned |
| Cousin | Your aunt's or uncle's child |
Common Mistakes
-
'Nina did not want to go to the wedding.' — No! Nina was VERY excited about the wedding. But she CARED about the sparrows more.
-
'The mother sparrow was trapped in the room.' — No! The mother sparrow could fly in and out. Nina worried she could not ENTER with the window closed.
-
'Birds can always find food, so we should not worry.' — In cities, food and water for birds are becoming SCARCE. We should help them.
-
'Only adults can care for animals.' — No! Children like Nina can also care for animals and birds. Age does not matter.
Quick Self-Test
Q1: Why is Nina worried about going to the wedding? A1: She is worried about who will feed the baby sparrows while she is away.
Q2: Where is the sparrow's nest? A2: On a shelf in Nina's room.
Q3: How many baby sparrows are in the nest? A3: Three.
Q4: What does Nina's father say? A4: He says they will NOT go to the wedding if the sparrows are not safe.
Q5: What is Nina's solution? A5: She opens the WINDOW wide so the mother sparrow can fly in and out freely.
Q6: How long will the family be away? A6: Two days and two nights.
Q7: What lesson does this story teach us? A7: We should CARE for all creatures and find solutions to problems.
Q8: How can you help sparrows in your neighbourhood? A8: Keep water and grains out for them, grow plants, protect their nests.
