Then I showed him. "See by your left foot— Mr. Toad looks like the lump of earth he squats on. And see again on the water by your right foot—Mr. Frog is as green on top as the scum he floats on. Underneath, he is as pale as the light seen from below the surface. This is because his enemies come from above and below." I told him to look carefully at the reeds across the slough. "What do you see, Jacob?"

"Father, I see a bird. I do. I see a bird." Jacob was full of pride. He was a quick student of Nature. What he had seen was a bittern, a slim bird with striped feathers, standing perfectly still in the thin, striped reeds. The bird was so well hidden he even seemed to sway a little when a breeze ruffled the reeds.

We continued our walk, working our way back home. Jacob was alert and his small head was moving from side to side as he looked for examples to impress me with. He discovered a garter snake lying near the path, almost hidden because of the greenish brown pattern on its back. "It looks like dirt and dry leaves," said Jacob. I impressed him by showing him a brown moth to make it move. Soon he discovered that the bark of the tree was alive with small insects which he had not seen with his first glance.

We did not have our deer meat for supper. But Jacob and I shared the summer morning. He learned that colour can be useful and beautiful. And as for me, I took pleasure in his learning.

Adapted from, Intermediate English Skills Development Series Book 3, 3B Recalling Details