One day, she saw a group of ants. They were working very hard, carrying pieces of food on their backs.
"Hey, what are you doing?" She asked those ants.
"We are moving food back to our nest," replied one of the ants.
"Wow! Can I help? I'm fast," baby eagle exclaimed enthusiastically.
The ants looked at each other for a few seconds. Finally, they came to an agreement. The ants nodded. "Sure! Help us carry this bread to our nest and we'll share some of it with you."
Thus, baby eagle rolled the bread to the ants' nest. The ants were very grateful. Baby eagle helped them move the bread to their nest faster than they could ever imagine.
"Thank you, young eagle! As promised, you can take a quarter of the bread with you," chief ant said.
Baby eagle scratched her head. "You're welcome but I'll pass on the bread. You can have it all," she said sheepishly.
"You're an angel! Thank you, young eagle," the chief was very happy.
After bidding goodbye, baby eagle continued walking. She was utterly confused. "Why'd they call me young eagle?"
As she walked, she came to a river. A group of ducks were at the river. 'Am I one of them?' She thought to herself. So, she stood and watched the ducks swim in the water.
Soon, she inched closer to the water.
When she tried to put one of her claws in the water, she heard a quack.
"What are you doing here, young eagle? Where's your mum?" Mama duck asked.
Baby eagle cocked her head, asking, "why'd you call me that, mama duck?"
Laughing, she replied, "ain't that what you are?"
"Is that what I am?" Baby eagle mused aloud.
"Look into the water and you'll know the answer," mama duck said.
Baby eagle looked into the water. Her reflection stared back at her.
"No, no, no. I'm not an eagle. I'm not sure if I am," she stuttered.
The wise mama duck chuckled. "Go up the hill. Find the other eagles. Then, you'll know the answer."
Baby eagle embarked on her journey of self discovery. It took her weeks to hike up the tallest mountain.
Finally, she reached the top. She was mesmerized by the view from far atop. It was the first time she saw such a view. The sky was so blue and wide. She could see the clouds floating in the sky. Hundreds of eagles were flying, circling the mountain and flying away. The view was magnificent.
While she stared with wide eyes, a voice called out from behind her.
"What are you doing, young one? We are leaving already."
She turned to see an eagle behind her.
"I'm.. watching?" She didn't know what was expected of her.
"Aren't you coming with us?" He asked again.
"I.. I'd love to, but I can't fly," she stuttered.
"Nonsense. Which eagle can't fly?" An older eagle heard the conversation and joined in.
"I'm.. not an eagle," replied baby eagle.
The old eagle studied her for a few moments. Then, she said, "I'll teach you."
"Open your wings," she said while demonstrating the action.
Baby eagle mimicked her movements.
"Flap them this way," the old eagle said as she ascended into the sky.
"Wow! She's cool," baby eagle exclaimed.
"You can fly, too. Try!" The other eagles urged.
Baby eagle looked down the mountain. It's very high up. 'What if I'm not an eagle? What if I can't fly?' She had doubts.
While she was weighing her options, an eagle emerged from behind and shoved her down the mountain.
'I'm going to die,' she thought.
"I don't want to die!" She cried loudly. With all her might, she flapped her wings the way the old eagle taught her.
She felt herself moving against gravity.
She kept moving her wings.
"You can open your eyes now, little one," an eagle said.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. She was flying with the older eagles.
The view was amazing. The feeling, the way the wind blows, everything was amazing. She felt like she was born to do it.
Finally, she smiled. "I'm an eagle."
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