5. No matter how hungry, or thirsty, or tired he was, Herman would
always offer up his share to others first. Naturally, his flock thought this
behavior was very unusual, and it was, for a seagull.
7. “Herman you silly bird,” they jeered, “never looking out for yourself.
Why, you’re a disgrace to the seagull race!” And with a humph of displeasure,
the flock scuttled over to a nearby sand dune.
8. Herman was very upset. Being un-selfish was Herman’s life and he had
never tried anything else.
“If my friends can’t appreciate my ways, then I’ll have to change.”
Herman thought, “I want to make them happy.”
9. At dawn when the seagull flock set out for their breakfast, Herman
began his transformation. Instead of politely waiting for the other birds to fly
past, Herman pushed and shoved his way towards the front of the group.
“Move it!” He squawked.
“What’s wrong with Herman?” the others wondered.
10. At lunchtime the other birds expected Herman to share his pile of fish,
just as he always did. Surprisingly, Herman gulped down every last bite and
snarled at any bird that came near his tasty treats.
11. During the flock’s daily swim in the tide pool, Herman didn’t allow even
one bird to set foot in the cool water.
“I found this tide pool first!” Herman screeched, “Go away!”
12. By the time the sun hung low on the horizon, the flock was very
confused. Herman was not at all the nice, kind, sharing seagull he had once
been. Finally, even Herman couldn’t take his meanness one second longer.
13. “That’s it!” Herman announced suddenly, “I’ve tried to be selfish like a
seagull is supposed to be and I feel miserable! I have bruises from bumping
into you this morning, my tummy aches from all that fish I ate by myself,
and my feet are exhausted from guarding my tide pool all afternoon. I would
much rather share with everyone.”
14. And the flock of seagulls couldn’t have agreed more.
15. “Whenever people are jealous or
selfish, they cause trouble and do all
sorts of cruel things.”
James 3:16 CEV
The End