One bright crisp autumn morning, Percy is sitting high in his tree when he spots Basil scouring the undergrowth, searching for his favourite treat – juicy earthworms. Despite Basil’s apparent unfriendliness, the young pigeon decides to try to speak to him so flutters down to join him.
At first, Basil tries to ignore him but Percy perseveres asking him questions. No one ever speaks to Basil so is surprised by Percy’s attentions. Slowly, the two begin to speak.
As Basil and Percy talk more, they soon find they have much more in common than they could have ever imagined. Despite their outward differences – Basil, with his burly shoulders and earthy scent, and Percy, with his soft feathers and airy flight – it turns out they’re really rather similar.
And the longer they talked, the more they learned they shared a love for the simple pleasures of life in the forest – from the changing seasons to the warmth of the sun and the endless opportunities of their forest home.
As the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, Basil and Percy’s friendship blossoms and grows stronger. They spend their days exploring the forest together, sharing stories and laughter as they meandered merrily through the trees.
Against all odds, Basil finds himself opening up to Percy in ways he never thought possible, sharing his hopes and fears, his dreams and disappointments. He is able to speak openly and honestly in a way he’d never known before.
As Basil and Percy’s friendship develops further, the two form a close bond and sense of trust in each other. One day, Percy asks Basil why he used to spend to so much time alone in the forest before they met.
Basil confides that, after his parents left him, he found it difficult to open up to people in case they too might leave. With youth and optimism on his side, the young Percy explains to Basil that having friends who care is almost like having a family.
One day while Basil and Percy are out exploring, they come across a lone duck standing in a clearing in the mighty forest. When they approach the duck to ask his name, he shuffles uncomfortably and turns away. However, young Percy is not dissuaded and continues to try to speak to the duck.
Basil and Percy are talking about life before they met each other. Basil says he did a bad thing and can’t forgive himself for it. Percy asks what and Basil replies he would rather not say – however Percy tells him not to be embarrassed about feeling sad or crying and that emotions are normal and health. Percy with his innocence says “No – I’m sure you meant well. You know you can talk to me about anything, my friend. It’s important to talk”.
