This morning we woke to find a dead Blackbird on our path. Charlie took the opportunity to inspect it's beak, claws and feathers closely. I took the opportunity to introduce him to the concept of death - sounds a bit grim, but we follow the seasons and nature so closely it only seemed right to give him a lesson in life cycles.
We talked about how the bird was 'dead' and it wasn't going to wake up. I then asked him if we should bury the bird in the garden. He thought that was a good idea and off he went and came back with his spade. Charlie dug the hole, Charlie picked up the bird, Charlie put a little flower in the hole, Charlie put the dirt over the bird and patted it down.
While he was digging he disturbed some worms and I explained how the worms would eat up the bird and make good soil to help our vegetables grow big and strong.
Charlie told Ian what he had done and Ian asked him if the bird was going to wake up and Charlie said "no because it's dead".
I'm not sure how much of this concept Charlie has understood, but I feel it was a good introduction to the subject and a memory we can bring up later on when the topic arises again.
To lighten up the subject we went for a 'spring hunt'. Hunting for early signs of spring peeping it's head up from the cold damp ground. We found some early bulbs in flower and remnants of autumn and had fun foraging in the bushes for Mother Natures little treasures. It was a good day. xx
