This adventure actually took place when my mom was about six or seven years old.

The early morning air still carried the coolness of night, but as the sun climbed higher, the promise of another scorching day on the dusty mesa became undeniable. Across the meadow, sheep quietly grazed in the pasture, while playful lambs jumped, kicked, and butted heads, their high-pitched bleats breaking the stillness of the morning. Nearby, the cows, freshly milked, wandered contentedly, flicking their tails against the rising swarm of flies. The golden glow of the morning sun cast soft light along the rugged peak of Mount Lamborn, painting a breathtaking view of the North Fork Valley.

A wisp of smoke curled from the chimney of a small cabin perched on Roger’s Mesa. Inside, the warmth of a crackling wood stove filled the kitchen as the family wrapped up breakfast and settled into their daily routines. The man of the house had already left for town, leaving the mother and her daughters to finish the morning chores. The rhythmic clatter of dishes filled the cabin as Elva set a pot of water to boil, preparing for the task of washing up.

As conversation flowed between the women, young Dotty, the littlest of the bunch, fidgeted in her chair. She had something on her mind—something important.

“Mama,” she started, her eyes wide with excitement, “can I go catch a magpie today? I really want to take care of it and train it. Please, Mama?”

The family had recently lost their last pet magpie when it took flight and never returned, and Dotty was eager to replace it. More than that, she wanted to be the one to find the bird herself.

Her mother smiled at her youngest daughter’s adventurous spirit.

“Yes, you can find a bird,” she agreed, “but only after you finish your morning chores.”

That was all Dotty needed to hear. With a burst of energy, she bolted out the door, eager to feed the chickens and collect the eggs. However, in her excitement, she forgot one crucial thing—the egg basket. Realizing her mistake, she dashed back to the house but froze before opening the door.

Voices carried from inside.

Curious, Dotty pressed her ear to the wooden frame, listening to her sister, Barb, who clearly thought her little sister was out of earshot.

“But, Mama, I want to get the bird. I’m the oldest! I should be the one to find it,” Barb insisted.

Their mother’s response was gentle but firm. “Now, your little sister won’t be able to catch a magpie. She’s just too little.”

Dotty’s heart sank. Too little?

A storm of frustration bubbled inside her. She clenched her fists, stomping her foot silently in defiance. I’ll show them! she thought.

Determined, she turned on her heel and marched back to the chicken coop. She would finish her chores—quickly—but she would catch a magpie today.

The Journey Begins

After gathering the eggs, she carefully lifted the hem of her dress, tucking them into the soft folds of fabric to keep them from breaking. Moving slowly, she carried them back to the house, all the while thinking through her plan.

What do I need?

A sack to hold the bird. Food for the magpie. Lunch for herself.

She had it all worked out.

Once inside, she carefully placed the eggs in a woven basket before filling a bowl with water and gently scrubbing them clean. With the final task complete, she turned to her mother, practically bouncing on her heels.

“All done! Can I use a gunny sack and take some hamburger for my magpie? And a sandwich for me?”

Her mother chuckled at her eagerness and began gathering the necessary items. Dotty wrapped the hamburger in a clean cloth, tying the ends securely, then ran to the barn to grab an empty gunny sack. By the time she returned, her mother had packed her a small brown bag with two peach preserve sandwiches, an apple, and a mason jar of water.

Armed with her provisions, Dotty gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek and bolted out the door, her excitement nearly lifting her off the ground.

Then, she skidded to a stop.

Now what?

In her haste, she hadn’t actually considered where to find a magpie. She couldn’t go back inside to ask—that might make her mother second-guess letting her go in the first place.

So she did the only thing she could think of—she followed the lamb.

Dotty headed toward Mount Lamborn, where a natural rock formation in the mountain resembled a standing lamb. The local sheep ranchers considered it a fortunate omen, and today, she needed all the luck she could get.

After reaching the flatland, she spotted a few towering pine trees in the distance. Birds live in trees, she reasoned. The bigger the tree, the better the bird!

A Hard Lesson in Bird Catching

The midday heat bore down on her as she trudged through the dusty fields. When thirst got the best of her, she pulled out her mason jar, taking a long sip—only to grimace at the lukewarm water. It didn’t help much.

Eventually, she reached the cluster of pines and collapsed into the shade, catching her breath. She peered up into the branches, searching for nests, but saw nothing. Frustration began to creep in.

Her stomach rumbled.

Pulling out a sandwich, she bit into the sticky sweetness of peach preserves. No one made jam like her mama. The taste was comforting, and soon, between the heat and her full belly, sleep overtook her.

By the time she woke, the sun was higher, the air hotter, and her throat drier than ever. She had half a mind to give up and go home, but then—

A sharp squawk split the air.

Dotty froze.

Another squawk.

Heart pounding, she followed the sound to a grove of cottonwood trees. There, hidden in the crook of a thick branch, was a messy mud-and-stick nest—and baby magpies!

She had found them!

Determined, she tucked the gunny sack under her dress and started climbing.

Halfway up, her dress snagged on a jagged limb. Tugging it free, she heard an unmistakable rip!

“Momma won’t be happy about that,” she muttered.

And then—

SWOOSH!

A full-grown magpie dive-bombed her.

She shrieked, clutching the tree trunk as the angry parent bird flapped and squawked in fury. It took several swoops before it finally retreated, leaving Dotty shaken but resolute.

I didn’t come all this way for nothing!

At last, she reached the nest, peering in at the seven squirming babies. Carefully, she unwrapped the hamburger, offering them a bite. They gobbled it up eagerly. After inspecting the brood, she finally chose a chubby little bird with dark wings that shimmered blue in the sunlight.

“Come here, Maggie,” she whispered, gently placing it in the sack.

The bird fussed but quickly settled once she secured the bundle inside her dress.

Mission Accomplished

The trek home felt triumphant.

When she reached the ranch, her mother spotted her from a distance, waving her over.

Elva’s smile quickly faded when she saw the state of her daughter—dirty, scratched, and sporting a torn dress.

“Are you alright?” she asked, concern in her voice.

Before she could answer, Dotty thrust out the sack, beaming. “I did it!”

Her mother peeked inside, astonished. “You really found one?”

Dotty nodded proudly.

“What will you name it?”

“Maggie.”

Her mother laughed. “What if it’s a boy?”

“Then it’s short for Magpie.”

Elva pulled her daughter into a hug, relieved she was safe. As they walked to the barn together, Dotty prattled on about her adventure. She had proven she wasn’t too little after all.

And as her mother listened, she realized something—Dotty may have caught a magpie, but the real gift that day was her daughter’s unshakable spirit.