Fletcher Lynd Seagull was still quite young, but already he knew that no bird had

ever been so harshly treated by any Flock, or with so much injustice.

"I don't care what they say," he thought fiercely, and his vision blurred as he flew

out toward the Far Cliffs. "There's so much more to flying than just flapping around

from place to place! A... a... mosquito does that! One little barrel roll around the

Elder Gull, just for fun, and I'm Outcast! Are they blind? Can't they see? Can't they

think of the glory that it'll be when we really learn to fly?

"I don't care what they think. I'll show them what flying is! I'll be pure Outlaw, if

that's the way they want it. And I'll make them so sorry..."

The voice came inside his own head, and though it was very gentle, it startled him

so much that he faltered and stumbled in the air.

"Don't be harsh on them, Fletcher Seagull. In casting you out, the other gulls have

only hurt themselves, and one day they will know this, and one day they will see

what you see. Forgive them, and help them to understand."

An inch from his right wingtip flew the most brilliant white gull in all the world,

gliding effortlessly along, not moving a feather, at what was very nearly Fletcher's

top speed.

There was a moment of chaos in the young bird. "What's going on? Am I mad? Am

I dead? What is this?"

Low and calm, the voice went on within his thought, demanding an answer.

"Fletcher Lynd Seagull, do you want to fly?"

"YES, I WANT TO FLY!".

"Fletcher Lynd Seagull, do you want to fly so much that you will forgive the Flock,

and learn, and go back to them one day and work to help them know?"

There was no lying to this magnificent skillful being, no matter how proud or how

hurt a bird was Fletcher Seagull.

"I do " he said softly.

"Then, Fletch," that bright creature said to him, and the voice was very kind, "let's

begin with Level Flight...." 

Part 2 Chapter 6.mp3