THE TWO DOVES
by Lida B. McMurry · from Fifty Famous Fables
Adapted Version
Once, in a cozy dovecote, lived two dove brothers. White-coat loved his home. He liked to stay inside. Blue-feather wanted to fly far away. He wanted to see new places.
Blue-feather spoke to White-coat. "I want to see the world," he said. "This home is too small. I want to visit other lands."
White-coat felt sad. "Do not go, Blue-feather," he said. "Home is safe. Big birds live outside. Bad weather comes. You might get lost. I will miss you much. Please stay home."
Blue-feather did not listen. "I will be fine!" he said. "I will come back soon. I will tell you many stories. You will hear all my adventures."
The brothers said goodbye. It was a sad goodbye. Blue-feather flew away. He left his warm home.
Soon, dark clouds came. Rain fell very hard. Blue-feather got very wet. He got very cold. He looked for a place to hide. He found no good shelter.
The rain stopped. Blue-feather dried his feathers. He saw some wheat. It was on the ground. He felt very hungry.
Blue-feather flew down to eat. Oh no! A trap caught his leg. It held him tight. He pulled and pulled. He got free from the trap. Some feathers fell out. He felt a little scared.
Blue-feather flew to a tall fence. He felt very tired. He felt very sad. He missed his warm home. He thought, "No more danger now." He wanted to rest there.
A boy saw Blue-feather. The boy threw a small stone. It hit Blue-feather's leg. It hit his wing. It hurt a little. Blue-feather could still fly. But it was very hard.
Blue-feather wanted to go home. He flew very slowly. He flew straight to his dovecote. He needed his brother.
It was night. Blue-feather was home. He was very tired. He was very hungry. But he was safe at last. He felt happy to be home.
White-coat waited for him. He was very happy. He saw Blue-feather. He gave his brother a warm hug. He made him feel better. Blue-feather felt safe now.
Blue-feather learned home was best. He learned to listen. Home was the best place of all.
Original Story
THE TWO DOVES
Two doves, White-coat and Blue-feather, lived in a dovecote. They were brothers and were very fond of each other. White-coat was a great home body, but Blue-feather liked to travel.
One day Blue-feather said to White-coat, "I want to see the world. This place is very tame. I have lived here all my life (he was only six months old) and have seen all there is to see. I want to visit other countries."
"Don't go, Blue-feather," said White-coat. "We have all we want to eat here, everyone is kind, and we have a good home. I have heard that in other places men set traps for birds or shoot them, and that sometimes large hawks swoop down and carry them off. You might be caught out in a storm and find no shelter; besides, it would almost kill me to be separated from you long. You might be able to bear it, but not I. Surely it is best to stay at home."
Just then a crow cawed. "Do you hear that crow, brother?" asked White-coat. "It seems to say, 'You will be sorry if you go.' Do not go. Take his warning. See, too, it is raining. If you must go, do put it off until a better time."
"White-coat, why do you make such a fuss about nothing? I shall not be gone more than three days; then you shall hear of all the wonderful things I saw. I shall tell what happened to me from the beginning of my journey until its close. It will be almost as good as going yourself."
"I do not care about the world," said White-coat. "How can I let you go! You will find me watching for you at whatever time of day or night you reach home. I can not eat, I can not sleep, with you away."
At this, they said a sad good-by to each other, and Blue-feather flew away.
A dark cloud covered the sky. Blue-feather looked about for shelter. He flew to the only tree near, but its leaves could not keep off the driving rain, so his coat was wet through and through.
When the sky was clear again, Blue-feather left the tree and dried his plumage as he flew.
On the borders of a wood he spied some scattered grains of wheat. He was hungry and saw no reason why he should not pick them up. As he flew down, a snare was drawn about him. The wheat had been put there to tempt pigeons so that they might get caught. It was well for Blue-feather that the snare had been in use a long time and was rotten. By using his beak and wings he got loose, but he lost a few feathers out of his pretty coat.
A hawk saw him as he rose. Blue-feather was dragging a piece of the string which he could not loosen from his leg. The hawk was about to seize him. It seemed as if there was no help for him. But just at that moment an eagle caught the hawk and carried him off.
Blue-feather flew as fast as he could to a high fence, where he stopped to rest. He thought his dangers were over. He was very homesick.
While Blue-feather was sitting on the fence, a boy saw him. He nearly killed the poor bird with a shot from his sling.
Blue-feather was just able to fly. His leg was lame, and one wing was hurt, but he steered straight for home.
Late at night he arrived at his own dovecote, tired and hungry, but happy to be safe at home again. He found White-coat waiting for him.
White-coat smoothed his poor brother's feathers, nestled close to him, and soothed him with his coo! coo! coo!
Story DNA
Moral
It is often best to appreciate the safety and comfort of home and heed the warnings of those who care for you.
Plot Summary
Blue-feather, an adventurous young dove, decides to leave his safe home to see the world, despite his homebody brother White-coat's earnest warnings about dangers. Soon after departing, Blue-feather faces a series of perils: a severe rainstorm, a snare that almost traps him, an attacking hawk, and finally, a boy who shoots him with a sling. Injured and homesick, Blue-feather struggles back to his dovecote late at night, where he is lovingly welcomed and comforted by White-coat, who had been waiting for him.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to suffering to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Lida B. McMurry was an American educator and author known for her children's literature and readers, often featuring moral lessons and nature themes.
Plot Beats (14)
- White-coat and Blue-feather, two dove brothers, live contentedly in a dovecote; White-coat is a homebody, Blue-feather desires to travel.
- Blue-feather announces his intention to see the world, despite being only six months old.
- White-coat tries to dissuade him, warning of dangers like traps, hawks, storms, and the pain of separation, even interpreting a crow's caw as a warning.
- Blue-feather dismisses White-coat's concerns, promising to return in three days with tales of his adventures.
- They say a sad good-bye, and Blue-feather flies off.
- A dark cloud covers the sky, and Blue-feather gets thoroughly soaked in a driving rainstorm, finding inadequate shelter.
- After the storm, he dries his plumage and spots scattered wheat on the border of a wood.
- He flies down to eat the wheat and is caught in a rotten snare, from which he struggles free, losing some feathers.
- A hawk sees him, but just as it is about to attack, an eagle catches the hawk.
- Blue-feather flies to a high fence to rest, feeling homesick and believing his dangers are over.
- A boy sees him on the fence and shoots him with a sling, injuring his leg and wing.
- Barely able to fly, Blue-feather steers directly for home.
- He arrives at the dovecote late at night, exhausted and hungry, but relieved to be safe.
- White-coat, who has been waiting, smooths his brother's feathers and comforts him.
Characters
White-coat ◆ supporting
A small, plump dove with pristine white feathers covering his entire body. His build is gentle and soft, reflecting his home-loving nature. He appears healthy and well-fed from his comfortable life.
Attire: His natural plumage of pure white feathers, which are meticulously kept and always appear clean and unruffled.
Wants: To keep his brother safe and to maintain their peaceful, shared home life.
Flaw: Overly anxious and prone to worry, which can make him appear timid.
Remains consistent in his home-loving nature, his fears about the outside world are validated, and his bond with his brother is strengthened by the reunion.
Cautious, loyal, empathetic, home-loving, protective.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, plump dove with pristine pure white feathers covering his entire body. He has small, round, dark eyes and a delicate pinkish-grey beak. His posture is gentle and slightly watchful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Blue-feather ★ protagonist
A small, sleek dove with beautiful blue-grey feathers, particularly vibrant on his wings and tail. He is six months old, suggesting a youthful and somewhat naive build. Initially appears healthy and unblemished.
Attire: His natural plumage of blue-grey feathers, which are initially vibrant and well-kept, but become ruffled and damaged during his journey.
Wants: To explore the world beyond his dovecote and experience new things.
Flaw: Overconfidence and underestimation of dangers, leading him into perilous situations.
Begins as an adventurous and somewhat dismissive youth, experiences severe hardship and danger, and returns home humbled, injured, and deeply appreciative of his safe haven.
Adventurous, curious, somewhat naive, resilient, homesick.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, sleek dove with vibrant blue-grey feathers on his wings and tail. He has bright, curious dark eyes and a delicate pinkish-grey beak. His posture is initially confident and eager, but after his journey, he appears ruffled, with a slightly drooping wing and a limp leg. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Crow ○ minor
A large, dark bird with glossy black feathers, a sturdy build, and a powerful beak. Its appearance is somewhat ominous, reflecting its role as a harbinger of warning.
Attire: Its natural plumage of deep, iridescent black feathers.
Wants: Unclear, but its caw serves as a warning.
Flaw: Not applicable; it is a symbolic character.
Does not change; serves a singular purpose in the narrative.
Observant, foreboding, perhaps wise in its own way.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, sturdy crow with glossy, iridescent black feathers. It has sharp, intelligent black eyes and a strong, pointed black beak. It is perched with an alert, watchful posture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Hawk ⚔ antagonist
A formidable bird of prey with sharp talons, a hooked beak, and keen eyesight. Its feathers are likely mottled browns and greys, providing camouflage, and its build is powerful and predatory.
Attire: Its natural plumage of mottled brown and grey feathers, designed for hunting and camouflage.
Wants: To hunt and feed.
Flaw: Vulnerable to larger, more powerful predators like the eagle.
Does not change; serves as a natural threat in the story, ultimately becoming prey itself.
Predatory, opportunistic, relentless.
Image Prompt & Upload
A formidable hawk with mottled brown and grey feathers, a powerful build, and sharp talons. It has piercing yellow eyes and a strong, sharply hooked beak. It is captured mid-swoop, wings spread wide, talons extended. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Eagle ○ minor
A majestic and powerful bird, significantly larger than the hawk, with broad wings and formidable talons. Its feathers are likely dark brown with a lighter head and tail (depending on species, e.g., bald eagle or golden eagle), exuding strength and dominance.
Attire: Its natural plumage of powerful, broad feathers, likely dark brown with contrasting lighter feathers on its head or tail.
Wants: To hunt and feed.
Flaw: Not applicable; it is at the top of its food chain in this context.
Does not change; serves as a deus ex machina, saving Blue-feather by preying on the hawk.
Dominant, powerful, a top predator.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic and powerful eagle, significantly larger than a hawk, with broad, dark brown wings and formidable talons. It has intense, commanding eyes and a large, powerful hooked beak. It is captured mid-flight, carrying a hawk in its talons. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Boy ⚔ antagonist
A young boy, likely of a rural or peasant background, with a typical child's build. His appearance is not detailed, suggesting he is an anonymous threat.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a child in a rural setting, such as a tunic or shirt and trousers made of coarse linen or wool, possibly worn and patched. Colors would be muted earth tones.
Wants: To play or hunt, without fully considering the consequences of his actions.
Flaw: Not applicable; he is a minor, unthinking threat.
Does not change; serves as a final, human-induced threat to Blue-feather.
Thoughtless, perhaps cruel or simply unthinking in his actions towards animals, typical of a child's lack of empathy for creatures.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, approximately 8-10 years old, with a typical child's build. He wears a simple, worn tunic of muted brown linen and patched trousers of a similar fabric. His hair is short and unkempt. He holds a simple wooden sling with a leather pouch in his right hand, aiming it forward with a focused, slightly mischievous expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Dovecote
A sheltered structure, likely made of wood or stone, designed to house doves. It is a safe and familiar home for White-coat and Blue-feather.
Mood: Warm, safe, comforting, domestic, but also a place of longing and sadness at departure.
The doves live here; Blue-feather expresses his desire to travel; the brothers say a sad goodbye; Blue-feather returns injured.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, weathered wooden dovecote with multiple entry holes, perched on a sturdy post in a peaceful, sun-dappled farmyard. The wood is aged, with soft moss growing in crevices, and a few stray feathers lie on the ground beneath. Gentle morning light filters through nearby fruit trees, casting dappled shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Lone Tree in a Storm
A single tree, its leaves unable to provide adequate shelter from a driving rain, leaving Blue-feather soaked.
Mood: Exposed, vulnerable, cold, desolate.
Blue-feather's first encounter with the harshness of the outside world, seeking inadequate shelter from a storm.
Image Prompt & Upload
A solitary, gnarled oak tree stands exposed in a wide, open field under a sky heavy with dark, churning storm clouds. Sheets of driving rain lash against its sparse, wet leaves and rough bark, making the ground muddy and reflective. The overall palette is muted grays and deep greens, conveying a sense of cold and isolation. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Borders of a Wood with a Snare
The edge of a forest where scattered grains of wheat are laid out as bait for a snare. The snare is old and rotten.
Mood: Deceptive, dangerous, tense.
Blue-feather is lured by food and caught in a snare, barely escaping.
Image Prompt & Upload
The dappled sunlight filters through the dense canopy at the edge of a temperate deciduous forest, illuminating a patch of forest floor littered with fallen leaves and scattered grains of wheat. A barely visible, old, frayed rope snare is subtly integrated into the undergrowth, partially hidden by ferns and moss. The light is bright and clear, creating a false sense of security. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
High Fence
A tall fence, likely wooden, providing a temporary resting spot for Blue-feather after his escape from the snare and hawk.
Mood: Brief relief, but still exposed and vulnerable.
Blue-feather rests here, believing his dangers are over, only to be shot by a boy with a sling.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weathered, tall wooden fence, constructed from rough-hewn planks, stretches across a sunlit, grassy field. The wood shows signs of age, with splinters and faded paint, and a few wild vines might be climbing its posts. Beyond the fence, the field extends to a distant line of trees under a clear, bright blue sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
