| Floyd | We have gathered here with Grandfather, our Creator, the
ones who fly, the ones who crawl, the ones who swim, the ones who
walk on four legs, ... |
| Floyd | ...and those beautiful spirits...those who
have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Related Conditions...
who have come to Earth as volunteers to teach us what we need to heal
in our communities. |
|---|
| Floyd | This story was created ... |
|---|
| Floyd | ...to help you understand the health
problems and behavior challenges... |
|---|
| Floyd | ...of your special child as he or she
becomes an adult, brought on by the effects of alcohol on their
brain. |
|---|
| Floyd | The information in this story can help you
become the best possible parent, |
|---|
| Floyd | ...and help your child be their
best. |
|---|
| Floyd | Today I am going to tell you the story of a
puffin known as Travels in Circles..At first glance, Travels in
Circles didnít appear to be much different from the other young
adults in the puffin colony. His black and white feathers were as
shiny as the other puffins, but a bit more unkept at times.. |
|---|
| Floyd | As a young puffin, Travels in Circles was
clumsy. He waddled when he walked and frequently fell over. The other
birds often teased and chased him. |
|---|
| Floyd | Although he was fully grown, Travels in
Circles still had not quite grasped the fundamentals of grooming,
building a nest, or having a mate. Even though he was an adult he
still lived with his mother and father. |
|---|
| Floyd | Despite his flaws, Travels in Circles was a
cheery bird who loved to spend his time playing with the pebbles on
the beach. His parents loved him very much and continued to care for
their adult son. |
|---|
| Floyd | When other parents criticized or questioned
them about this, Mother Puffin would simply smile and reply: |
|---|
| M Puffin | He is a gift the Creator gave to us for our
old age. |
|---|
| Floyd | Deep down, however, Mother and Father
Puffin were concerned. They wondered why their son was so
absentmindedÖand why he so was unable to successfully perform even
the simplest task, such as building a proper nest. |
|---|
| Floyd | Even with instruction, Travels in Circles'
nests were never completed. He would lose track of what he was doing,
becoming entranced by patterns in the rocks. Instead of a nest, he
would end up constructing a star, a large circle, or an elaborate
maze, whistling and chirping happily as he worked. |
|---|
| Floyd | It was apparent to all that Travels in
Circles behavior was certainly different than other adult puffins.
What allowed him a measure of acceptance in the colony, however,
... |
|---|
| Floyd | ... was that he was fantastic at catching
fish. And he was generous, to a fault, in sharing them, be it friend
or foe. Travels in Circles was oblivious, fearless, and awkward. It
was only through the grace of the Creator that he had survived
chickhood.. |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | Our son is certainly
an odd and clumsy bird, I wonder what goes on in his mind. |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | Although heís
different, he really does seem to enjoy life. I think, however, that
he gets lonely. After all, his brothers and sisters and cousins all
have mates and chicks, but he doesnít..He knows that he should take
on adult responsibilities, but he never seems to get
started. |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | Thatís because heís
not organized and it appears that he has no real goals. |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | I worry about who
will take care of him when we are gone. |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | Fortunately, for his
sake, he is one of the best fish catchers in the colony. Because he
shares with everyone, most of the colony members accept him and watch
out for him. |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | Iíve noticed that
even those our son should fear donít bother him. Maybe they sense our
Creator sent him for a special purpose. Still, I wonder, what caused
our son to have such different behavior? |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | Iíve thought about
the season of our sonís birth. The only unusual event of that season
was the crate of cans and bottles that washed
ashore...remember? |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | Hmmm, yes, I do
recall the bottles that exploded after being in the sun. They had
that odd tasting bubbly water in them. |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | YesÖthe odd water
that made us dizzy and sick and caused us to run around in circles,
just like our beloved son does. |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | Have I ever told you
what Orca said about that crate? She and Dolphin frequently eaves
drop on the humans who ride those large cruise ships. |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | She said that the
funny water is champagne and it contains alcohol. It is the alcohol
that made us walk strangely and fall down. |
|---|
| Father
Puffin | (exclaiming) Hey,
Travels in Circles walks funnyÖand as a chick, he often fellÖDo you
think it was the alcohol that caused his problems? |
|---|
| Mother
Puffin | (sigh) ìI donít
knowÖI just hope the Creator grants us a long life so we can watch
over our precious son. |
|---|
| Floyd | Alas, Mother Puffin did not get her wish.
The winter was long and cold and many older puffins did not survive.
Travels in Circles' parents were among those who perished. |
|---|
| Floyd | Finding his loving parents clasped in each
other's wings under the shimmering glow of the northern lights, the
young puffin ... |
|---|
| Floyd | ... gently covered them with rocks, crying
silent tears as he worked. As he placed the last rock upon their
grave he whispered: |
|---|
| Travels | Farewell my dear parents. What will I do
now, Grandfather? The winter is so cold and dark. What should I
do? |
|---|
| Floyd | Lonely, sad and scared, Travels in Circles
waddled down to where the frozen sea met the rocks. He could hear the
ice crack and groan as it shifted. He could see Beluga, Orca, and
Seal swimming under the ice. Then, as if in concert, they rose up out
of the sea to catch a breath of the cold Arctic air. As the large
mammals slipped back under the water and headed south, ... |
|---|
| Floyd | ... Travels in Circles dove into the cold
dark sea after them. |
|---|
| Floyd | It was not the first time he had acted
impulsively. It seemed to Travels in Circles that this was the start
of a grand adventure and he gave no thought to the consequences of
his behavior. The puffin followed the sea mammals until he lost
sight of them when he became distracted by a school of herring
swimming by. . |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles caught one and brought
it to the surface intending to take it to the shore. Only then, did
he realize, he could no longer see the shoreÖonly huge islands of
ice. Travels in Circles pulled himself up onto one of the pieces of
ice floating by.. |
|---|
| Travels | I guess Iíll just eat my fish and take a
nap here. Iíll look for home later. |
|---|
| Floyd | He repeated his napping, diving, and
fishing, and eating routine many times. One day when he returned to
the surface to rest, he noticed the land looked different. |
|---|
| Floyd | Gone were the familiar cliff and beach and,
after floating for so many days, the puffin noticed that his familiar
ice floe was nearly gone too. |
|---|
| Floyd | As Travels in Circles rode his melting ice
floe south, he thought of his mother and father, his home, and the
pebbles he was so fond of. |
|---|
| Floyd | Once in a while Dolphin, Beluga, and Orca
visited him. After they left he realized he forgot to ask them if
they knew where he was or how he could get home. One morning the
puffin awoke to a big surprise. His ice floe had completely melted
and he was now swimming in the warmest water he had ever
felt.. |
|---|
| Floyd | Squawking loudly in alarm, Travels in
Circles turned to see that he was eye to eye with a very strange
creature. The puffin tried swimming away from the creature but his
body did not seem to move.The creature had a big round head, two eyes
and many dangling arms. |
|---|
| Octopus | (laughing) Calm down little bird. Iím not
going to hurt you. Iím just an octopus out for my morning swim,
looking for a bite to eat. |
|---|
| Travels | Iím hungry too. Please, may I swim with
you? |
|---|
| Octopus | Why yes, of course. Stay close and follow
me. |
|---|
| Floyd | The puffin followed the Octopus towards the
shore. |
|---|
| Floyd | But...as was often the case, Travels in
Circles forgot what he was doing, distracted by a shiny, silvery
object streaming bubbles. Swimming after it, the puffin was oblivious
to Octopus' cries of caution. |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles followed the bright
shape until it stopped by an odd looking boulder. He swam over and
hopped on top of it. What he saw was astounding |
|---|
| Floyd | Many noisy metal containers with humans
inside sped by on the cliff above. The only thing that puffin found
familiar was the smell of food. He recognized the odor of fish.
Excitedly he started off in search of a meal. |
|---|
| Floyd | With one fearless dash he crossed the busy
street, oblivious to the yelling people and loud sounds as he waddled
past. |
|---|
| Floyd | Frantically, scurrying around giant human
feet, the bird followed the scent of fish. |
|---|
| Floyd | Before him was a banquet. Big fish, little
fish, crabs, clams, oysters and mussels. His stomach growled with
anticipation. Waddling as fast as he could, Travels in Circles made
his way toward the feast. . |
|---|
| Floyd | Just as he lunged toward a scrumptious
looking fish, he was grabbed from behind by a human hand. |
|---|
| Man | (soft masculine voice) Hold still little
bird. Iíve been trying to get you since I saw you down by the ferry
dock. Whatever are you doing down here in the big city, hundreds of
miles from where you belong? |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles squeezed his eyes
tightly shut. He was faint with fear as he felt his heart beating so
quickly he thought it would leap right out of his chest. He had heard
tales of humans taking puffins away to unknown fates. Now, here he
was, captured, far away from home, and in the hands of a
human. |
|---|
| Man | Donít worry, little one. There is a place
right below here where Iíll take you. There you can get all of the
fish you want. And you wonít be robbing the fish sellers blind.
(chuckle) |
|---|
| Floyd | The big warm hands placed the puffin into a
box. Travels in Circles kept his eyes closed, squeezing them even
tighter as the box started moving. After what seemed like forever, he
heard a door bang and the sound of another voice. This voice was
light and sweet, that of a young woman. |
|---|
| Woman | Good morning Sam. What have you got for me
today? (little muffled - distant) |
|---|
| Man | Youíll never guess! Look. (little
muffled) |
|---|
| Floyd | The lid of the box flew open. Travels in
Circles opened his eyes and looked up to see two sets of eyes looking
back at him |
|---|
| Woman | (surprised) Oh my goodness Sam! A Puffin!î
Wherever did you find him? He looks so scared. Donít worry, little
bird...weíll take good care of you here at the Aquarium. |
|---|
| Man | (laughing) Thanks, Gina. I knew youíd help.
I caught him down by the market just as he was getting ready to help
himself to some fish at Peterís stall. Good thing I got him first.
(Both voices laugh) |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles heard the laughter but
was too scared to see any humor in his situation |
|---|
| Woman | Okay little guy...letís get you in with the
penguins. I hope you donít take escape lessons from those
renegades. |
|---|
| Floyd | The lid on the box closed again. When it
reopened, Travels in Circles found himself in an enclosure with
rocks and fish and a group of very large birds. The largest came up
to him. |
|---|
| Penguin
1/ | Hey there buddy.
What they snag you fer? Weíer the Doolin boys. Weíre planning a split
out of here today. And you look like a likely fellow to join
us. |
|---|
| Travels | But...I just got here. What is this place?
Wonít the Sam get me if I leave? |
|---|
| Penquin
2 | Ha, Ha, Ha,
thatís a good one! (Smirk) We Doolin boys, we donít care. Weíre
bustiní out in a few so...mate, stay close! |
|---|
| Penquin 3 | OK guys, duck! Here comes the jailer. Stay
close to the door and when I give the signal, everybody out! (Sounds
of loud foot steps and then a clatter of metal. Door opens) |
|---|
| Floyd | The smallest Penguin signaled and the two
other Penguins grabbed the puffin ... |
|---|
| Floyd | ... and ran out the door. |
|---|
| Keeper | Hey you guys! Get back here! Penguins are
out again, Gina! Theyíre heading towards the Bay. Quick, call animal
control! |
|---|
| Floyd | Within minutes, the three Penguins and
Travels in Circles were in the bay. The Doolin brothers laughed as
they swam north. Travels in Circles could barely keep up. |
|---|
| Penguin 1 | Look buddy. We got you out. Now you owe
us! |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles was very frightened. He
had always wanted friends but this was not what he had in mind. He
wished now that his mother and father were around to tell him what
was the right or wrong thing to do |
|---|
| Travels | What do you want me to do? |
|---|
| Penguin 1 | You stand guard while we check out the
boat, itís what we do for a living. Come on boys...letís
go! |
|---|
| Floyd | The Penguins climbed up onto the boat while
Travels in Circles kept watch. The hungry puffin became distracted
from his assignment, however, and dove down to catch a
salmon |
|---|
| Floyd | When he returned to the surface he saw the
three Penguins being chased off the boat and into a net held by the
aquarium's keeper |
|---|
| Travels | Well, having friends like that wasn't much
fun. Now, I guess I'd better go home. But, which way do I go.
(tearful) I don't know where home is. Oh, no. |
|---|
| Floyd | The Puffin cried as he swam in circles. A
sea lion watching the confused bird, ate a salmon, burped politely
behind one flipper, and than swam over to where Travels in Circles
was now struggling to pull himself onto the shore. |
|---|
| Sea Lion | Son, what are you doing here? |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles told the Sea Lion the
entire story of how he had gotten lost, caught, escaped, and now lost
again..The Sea Lion listened closely to the Puffin's tale. When the
bird had finished, Sea Lion grunted, nodded, and looked up into the
tree over head. |
|---|
| Sea Lion | Ah Ha! There you are! I thought I heard
you. Well, come on, make yourself seen. |
|---|
| Floyd | A tiny black bat fluttered down from the
tree and landed in front of them. |
|---|
| Bat | Hello, Sea Lion. I didnít mean to
eavesdrop, but, well, I was just hanging around. I think I know of a
way we can help our lost friend. I know of a healer who lives deep in
the forest and if you can help me, together we can help our new
friend get to a safe place. |
|---|
| Sea Lion | Of course Iíll help. Letís go now while it
is dark. Itís a much safer time for travel. Lead on little
Bat! |
|---|
| Floyd | Sliding back into the water, Sea Lion and
Travels in Circles followed Bat. They swam up a canal, into a series
of lakes, and out of the city until they reached a small stream.
Sizing up the situation the sea lion said: |
|---|
| Sea Lion | Travels in Circles, I am too big to go up
that stream. You must continue your journey with Bat. Iíll ask
Grandfather, our Creator, to watch over you. Now go safely! |
|---|
| Travels | But what do I do if I get hungry? |
|---|
| Sea Lion | Look into the water thereís fish in the
stream. |
|---|
| Travels | (exclaimed) My goodness! Look at them all.
I never noticed. |
|---|
| Floyd | With that the gentle Sea Lion turned and
swam away. |
|---|
| Floyd | After snacking, the puffin and the Bat
started again on their journey. It wasn't long until they spotted a
glowing light through the trees and heard the sound of wings beating
overhead |
|---|
| Floyd | Indeed, Eagle had heard the prayers Sea
Lion had sent and had come to greet the bird and the bat. .As the odd
trio traveled toward the healing circle, the glow grew brighter. When
they reached the light of the healing circle, Coyote, who stood at
the north of the circle, smiled and thanked the unselfish bat, and
gestured for Travels in Circles to join him.. |
|---|
| Coyote | Welcome dear Puffin. We have heard of your
long journey from the north. Salmon, Orca, and others now sing songs
of your journey. We know of the loss of your parents and of their
concerns for you. We know why life has been hard for you. Come, come
and meet Dr. Raven. He and his helpers are waiting. |
|---|
| Floyd | As Coyote escorted Travels in Circles over
to the group, Dr. Raven greeted them. |
|---|
| Raven | Please sit, dear Puffin. Weíre glad you
came. I am here to tell you of the time before you were born, of the
alcohol your mother drank, and of how, unknown to her, your father,
or you, the alcohol affected your brain. Tonight I will have my
helpers come to meet you, talk with you and teach you. We will help
you make a plan for your life. |
|---|
| Floyd | Dr. Raven and his team weighed and measured
the puffinÖthey evaluated his language, reading, spelling, and math
skills; and assessed his daily living skills. After several hours,
Dr. Raven and the team members sat down with Travels in Circles to
discuss what they had learned. The puffin, as had previously been
believed, was affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. When he was told of
this diagnosis, Travels in Circles seemed relieved. |
|---|
| Travels | I have wondered all my life what was wrong
with me. Now I know that these problems are not my fault. Now I donít
have to feel so bad. Thank you for all your help. |
|---|
| Raven | You are welcome. Now, I would like to
introduce you ... |
|---|
| Raven | ... to Misty Woodpecker. She will show you
to your new home. Mistyís family has offered to help you get started.
Please go to your new home with the Woodpeckers. All of us here in
the forest will help you to have a healthy, happy life. |
|---|
| Misty | Donít worry. We here in the forest now
think of you as one of us. Weíll help you. .Why not come to the
school with me tomorrow. Maybe you can help me teach the little ones
to read, spell, and do math. |
|---|
| Travels | (whisper) I am so ashamed. I never learned
to read and do mathÖMisty, could I catch you a fish or make you a
picture and in exchange you could try teaching me to read? |
|---|
| Misty | I think thatís a wonderful plan. Letís talk
about it more tomorrow. |
|---|
| Floyd | Misty said goodby and flew to her home high
in a snag. |
|---|
| Travels | (sigh) Well, time for sleep. I sure do
like her. Maybe Iíll have a chance of having a true friend, not like
those penguins who just got me in trouble. This is a nice place!
Look at all of the lovely rocks covered with moss. I think theyíll
make a nice bed. Good night moon and stars. Good night mother and
father. Good night Misty. Good night Grandfather, our Creator. Thank
you for bringing me to this place. |
|---|
| Floyd | With his prayers said, the puffin fell fast
asleep listening to the sound of the water running in the creek.
|
|---|
| Floyd | The sun was high in the sky the next
morning when Misty returned to take Travels in Circles to
school. |
|---|
| Floyd | The woodpecker led the puffin to the
clearing where Deer was holding class. Travels in Circles felt
embarrassed until Misty pointed out other adult students. |
|---|
| Travels | What are they doing here? |
|---|
| Misty | They are animals with learning problems.
Some of their difficulties were caused by their motherís drinking
before birth, just as yours were. Some of these folks have other
problems. |
|---|
| Floyd | The puffin was shown to his desk. Lessons
began. .The day raced by..When Travels in Circles asked a question,
no one laughed, instead he got helpful answers. . |
|---|
| Floyd | As the days and weeks passed his tutors
helped him make up a schedule as to when to get up, chores he had to
do, when to go to bed, and other aspects of his daily life. |
|---|
| Floyd | Soon Travels in Circles began to understand
what letters and numbers meant. |
|---|
| Floyd | He and Misty spent more time together.
Misty helped him learn the difference between having a friend that
cares rather than being taken advantage of, like the Penguin brothers
had done |
|---|
| Floyd | Despite missing his parents and the other
puffins, even the ones who had teased him, Travels in Circles was
happy to be in his new home. |
|---|
| Floyd | The Woodpecker family made him feel
loved. |
|---|
| Floyd | Travels in Circles also learned that he had
valuable gifts to offer. With his artistic talents he taught animals
how to use pebble pictures to communicate. |
|---|
| Floyd | All in all, through the structure and
support given to him by his adopted family and new friends, life was
very good for Travels in Circles. Still, one important part was
missing. |
|---|
| Travels | Oh, Grandfather, our Creator, give me the
courage to tell Misty how I feel. |
|---|
| Coyote | Hello, my friend. I have not talked to you
since you first arrived, but I have watched your progress with
interest, pride and joy..You fear that because you have Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome you wonít be smart enough for someone to love.. |
|---|
| Coyote | (Bold voice) Nonsense! True love is from
the heart and the soul. Misty Woodpecker knows of your heart and
soul. She knows of your gentleness..Surely, a young puffin who can
sail hundreds of miles, feed himself, survive the journey to our
healing circle, and learn to readÖwell, surely that is a bird with
strength and courage. Tell her of your heartÖlet nature do the rest.
Good night, now. Remember my words. . |
|---|
| Floyd | Early the next morning Misty Woodpecker
returned to take Travels in Circles to school. With Coyote's words
in his ears, Travels in Circles went to the clearing to meet Misty
Woodpecker. Patting his wings with hers Travels in Circles smiled at
Misty Woodpecker. |
|---|
| Floyd | Misty looked into Travels in Circlesí eyes
and then down at the ground. |
|---|
| Floyd | There on the ground, was a pebble picture of her su
rrounded by the words, "I love you, Misty Woodpecker. Will you marry
me?" Misty was very silent for a few moments. She thought of the
years ahead, of how she would most likely be the one to provide the
guidance and structure, the one to take care of the finances, the one
who would be doing the planning. |
|---|
| Floyd | She thought of his kindness, his courage,
and of how hard he tried. Finally she thought of his heart and soul,
not of his brain she knew was damaged by alcohol. Misty thought of
all the gifts this special one had brought into her life and of more
gifts to come..A smile appeared on her face. |
|---|
| Misty | Yes, my dear Travels in Circles, I will
marry you. |
|---|
| Floyd | And so it came to pass. The years went by,
some good, others hard. Much of what Misty had foreseen was true.
Yet, through it all she would thank the creator for the special gift
of her mate. .For he taught her about love, patience, and how every
creature on this beautiful Earth has a purpose." |
|---|
| Floyd | And so it is with all of those born with
FAS and FARC. Throughout their lives, our communities must offer
these special souls structure, love, hope, and the same road to
happiness we all seek. |
|---|
