“The year is coming to an end,” mused Dazel poignantly as she gazed at the sunrise, signaling the last dawn of the year. The trees surrounding her artificial pond were dusted with freshly fallen snow. “What a beautiful scene,” the duck said wistfully.

“Yes, it certainly is,” agreed Swain the black swan flapping his glossy, raven wings to land at the edge of the pond. The swan was Dazel’s classmate and close friend and the two flew to the Aviary School for Birds together each morning.

Dazel remarked thoughtfully, “What a year it has been; so many adventures, so many follies, so many lessons!”

“Come on, let’s get going otherwise we will be late for school,” commented Swain and the two friends flapped their wings and set off towards the Aviary School.

In assembly, Wiz Rooster, the principal, addressed the gathered students, “Good morning birds! Tonight will be the last night of the year and each of us has many reasons to celebrate. The last year has taught us many lessons and the New Year gives us the opportunity to apply these lessons and make a fresh start.”

Back in the class, Dazel and her friends were discussing what they could do to celebrate the onset of the New Year. “Wiz Rooster is right, we must make an effort to remember the lessons of the last year as we step into a new year,” Candy the canary exclaimed.

“We must do something significant that will make us value the lessons of last year,” mused Rita the robin. “How about making a monument to dedicate it to the year........

© Dawn Young Magazine