Since the launch of my new web site - okay, HCA's new web site for kids - people have been writing to our national office to find out more about me (especially those curious people in New Orleans - you know who you are!). So, for the first time, I have told my life story to the staff of the national office in New York City so that they could share it with you.
When I was just a little parrot flying around the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean with my mom and dad, the first thing I learned was my "scientific" name - Eclectus Roratus Solomonensis (now, that's a beak full!). Don't worry, I couldn't pronounce it either - and so mom and dad named me Polly. I had a wonderful life - flying from island to island (more than 900 make up the archipelago known as the Solomon Islands) - eating yams, seeds and sweet nectar from the tropical plants and trees. It was paradise! But one April day in 1990 my whole life changed.
A cyclone hit our islands and I became separated from my mom and dad. The wind was so strong it blew me far, far from home. Finally, I landed on a sandy beach. I was lost, alone and confused and I knew that if I didn't find shelter soon, I might not be safe. So, I wiped my tears with my wings and flew to the tallest tree I could find.
While resting in the tree, I saw a large group of people below. They seemed confused and scared just like me. I also saw little children who did not seem to know where their mommies or daddies were. I heard people talking about being hungry and thirsty and about losing their homes. As I listened, I soon realized what had happened to me. The cyclone's winds blew me across the Pacific Ocean, over the Indian Ocean to the tip of the Atlantic Ocean and the coast of Liberia.
Then, I saw some men and women who were smiling. They were giving the people food, water, blankets and medicine and telling the people about Someone named Jesus Who loves them.
As I was watching, two old and wise African Grey Parrots flew to my tree. They asked who I was and where I came from. After I told them my story, they told me that they would be happy to take care of me. They even said I could think of them as my "adopted" parents and both wrapped their wings around me in a group hug. My new "family" promised that when I was stronger, they would teach me how to fly all over the world so that I could get back home.
I asked Mr. and Mrs. Grey if they knew what was going on just below the tree. The Greys explained that the sad people below were refugees and that the people who were helping them were missionaries. Some of these missionaries were priests and Sisters. Others were catechists.
I listened as the catechist told about Jesus - about how He told us to love each other and about how He loves us. They said Jesus loved us so much He died for us, on a cross, and came back to life again. The catechist said that the celebration of this miracle is called Easter.
The Greys also explained that on this very day, some of the catechists were being sent out from the refugee camp to help other children in Liberia and to tell them about Jesus. The catechists looked so happy.
The Greys told me that the catechists were able to help children because of the money they receive from the Holy Childhood Association (HCA). They explained that children all over the world send money to HCA to help children in the Missions learn about Jesus.
After the catechists left, I spotted a beautiful cross on the ground. I swooped down and picked it up. Looking at this cross made me think of Jesus and His great love. It made me want to help children in the Missions - and HCA!
A few weeks later, Mr. and Mrs. Gray reminded me of their promise. True to their word, Mr. and Mrs. Grey taught me how to navigate the world's skies. Soon, I was reunited with my mom and dad. They were so happy to see me. I told my parents about all I had seen in Africa - and about how I wanted to help children in the Missions by helping the Holy Childhood Association.
My parents gave me permission to work for HCA as long as I promised to return home to visit them every few months. So, off to Washington, D.C., I flew (that's where HCA's national office used to be located) to tell the staff all about children in the Missions. Today, my home base is New York City - I share a telephone pole with some very nice Pigeon friends and love telling stories to them - and you - about "children helping children."
