Chapter 1 Non-Speaker

A Non-Speaker, nothing. Adler’s world changed with that pronouncement. Gone were all his parents’ hopes and dreams and gone too was the affection and care of his family. After all, in their society where birds played such an integral role, not being able to speak to even Sparrows was a handicap. It marked Adler down as a nuisance and a burden. He had now become the family’s shame.

And over the next fifteen years, Adler felt exactly like a Non-Speaker. His father grew cold and distant. His mother grew sharp and cruel; as though it was his fault he was born the way he was. And as for his siblings, they ignored or bullied him at home and when in public, they pretended that they didn’t know him. It was difficult for Adler and painful in the extreme. However, Adler’s spirit was strong despite his years. He learned to adapt. What else could he do?

There was one thing he could do Adler decided, one night as he looked up at the stars from the family garden. Smiling, he gazed up at the heavens and didn’t even notice as his oldest brother and the one person in the family who actually cared about him, Aaron, walked up to him.

​

“Hey dinner’s ready,” said Aaron and Adler turned to look at him. He smiled his thanks before turning his gaze back up to the stars. With a sigh, Aaron shook his head before continuing. “You know if you don’t come in soon they’ll just eat without you and that includes your portion.”

“Oh don’t worry about that,” replied Adler, “they won’t start until you’re with them.”