Read Online Chickadee by Louise Erdrich - Free Book Online

once, he barked at Brownie and Brownie, and trotted back and forth between the women and the horses as if to make sure they knew there was danger near.
    Chattering like squirrels, the women in strange gray dresses went to investigate the cabin. Each ventured in and came out quickly, waving the air away from her nose.
    The black robe, who wore a flat black hat and had a rosy face and twinkling blue eyes, laughed.
    â€œWe’d best be on our way,” he said. “Come along, Sisters.”
    So, thought Chickadee, these were the black robe’s six sisters. This was a family—an odd family who dressed much differently than most, but probably harmless. Still, he decided to remain hidden. And if not for the little black dog, he probably would have gone unnoticed.
    The black dog started barking. Worse, it threw itself against the haystack. Chickadee could feel the vibrations every time it smacked into the hay below. The little dog was determined to tell its family that there was someone in the haystack. Some animal, they thought.
    â€œGertrude probably smells a rat,” said one of the Sisters.
    â€œCome, Gertrude. Here, Gertrude!”
    But the dog barked even more urgently, threw itself madly, insistently, until it caused the hay to tremble and slide. Chickadee had to adjust his weight.
    â€œI saw something move,” said the priest. “If it was a rat, it was enormous.”
    â€œCome, Gertrude!”
    The Sisters called the dog to them in alarm. They did not want to see an enormous rat and wanted to leave the stinking cabin and the haystack well behind them. All of the Sisters, that is, except the youngest and most curious one.
    She was small, and a brown curl the same color as the Brownies coat peeked under the gray contraption on her head.
    â€œI’ll get Gertrude, and find out what she’s so excited about. I’m not afraid of a rat, no matter how big!”
    â€œSister Seraphica! Please!”
    But Seraphica picked her way through the muddy snow and straw of the Zhigaag brothers’ yard until she reached the dog.
    â€œGertrude, what is it?” she said in her gentle voice.
    The dog went wild, hopping high and smashing its little body against the hay.
    Seraphica laughed and stood on tiptoe. She peered up into the stack of grass and looked straight into Chickadee’s eyes.
    â€œIt’s not a rat,” she called. “It’s a … boy, I think!”
    The priest came running.
    â€œLook, Father,” she pointed.
    Chickadee tried to sink into the hay, but he had hunkered down as far as he could.
    â€œI can’t see anything,” said the priest.
    â€œIf it is a boy, then he’s hungry,” said Seraphica. Her face was round and sweet. She had green eyes with long black eyelashes, and a small round nose. Her mouth was generous and her smile was wide and full.
    She rummaged in a bag tied to her waist and took out a piece of bread. She held the bread out in the tips of her fingers. It was fragrant, fresh, and before Chickadee could stop himself, his hand darted out from beneath the grass and snatched the roll from her hand.
    â€œThere,” said Seraphica. “See?”

    The other Sisters leaned over the edge of the wagon. Even from there, they could hear the munching and smacking of Chickadee enjoying the bread. He spat out a strand of grass. The priest smiled.
    â€œLet’s try to coax him out.”
    The priest and the Sisters hadn’t much to eat themselves, but each contributed a morsel. Seraphica held each bit out, an offering. And every time Chickadee smelled what she held, he reached out and grabbed it. He meant to stay hidden, but his hunger was just too much for him.
    â€œWill you come out now?” asked Seraphica. She held out her open hand. Chickadee tried to burrow farther down, but he knew it was no use.
    â€œCome on, we won’t hurt you,” she said. Of course, as she spoke English, Chickadee could not