The Wild Robot

CHAPTER 52 THE FLOCK

Brightbill slowly waddled into the Nest. He had a confused look on his face.

“Mama? The other goslings said that we have to leave the island soon, and we won’t return for months and months. Is that true?”

“That is true,” said Roz. “You know that geese migrate south for the winter.”

“Will you migrate with us?” said Brightbill.

“I cannot fly or swim, so I will spend the winter here on the island.”

“Can I stay with you?”

“I do not think that is a good idea. I think you should migrate with the flock.”

“How long will the migration take?” said Brightbill. “Where will we fly? When will we come home?”

“I do not know,” said Roz. “Let us go ask the others.”

And so the robot and the gosling walked around the pond, to where Loudwing and her friends were chatting. “Hello, everyone,” said Roz. “Brightbill has some questions about the flock’s upcoming winter migration.”

“And we’d be happy to answer them!” said Loudwing. “What would you like to know, little one?”

“How long will the migration take?” said Brightbill. “Where will we fly? When will we come home?”

“It’ll take us a couple of weeks to fly south,” said Loudwing, “depending on the weather.”

“We’ll join other flocks at a beautiful lake in the middle of a great, sprawling field,” said another goose.

“And we’ll come back to the island after four or five months,” said someone else, “depending on the weather.”

As they walked back to the Nest, Brightbill said to his mother, “Lately I’ve been feeling this strong urge to fly. Not just around the pond or the island, but to go on a long flight. A journey.”

“Those are your instincts,” said the robot. “All animals have instincts. They help you survive.”

“Do you have instincts?” said the gosling.

“I do have instincts. They help me survive also.”

“My instincts are definitely telling me to fly south for the winter,” said Brightbill. “I just wish you could join us. I’m going to worry about you while I’m away.”

“Do not worry. I will be fine,” said Roz. “How bad could winter be?”