It was summer, yet that didn’t stop Wiz Rooster from visiting the Aviary School for Birds every day. 


“Sir,” insisted Dazel, who was the rooster’s student and also his neighbour, “You really must rest and relax this summer. You work so hard the year round as the principal of Aviary School. You deserve a little time to unwind. I worry about your health.”

The rooster smiled kindly. The two were sharing a Sunday morning breakfast of berries and nuts at Wiz Rooster’s home.

“Oh Dazel! You are such a sweet creature to worry about me so much but I really have so much work to do at school. As principal I need to plan for the new academic year ahead, there are so many repairs to identify and meetings to hold with the teachers. I can’t possibly rest,” Wiz Rooster explained, brushing the matter aside.

The duck shook her bright feathered head as she saw the rooster fly off towards the school premises. That evening Dazel discussed the situation with her best friends, Din Din the dinosaur and Delma the dolphin.

“I’m afraid Wiz Rooster will burn out and fall sick because of his hectic schedule. I really want him to use this summer to recuperate and regain his energy,” Dazel explained to her friends.

“Why don’t we plan a relaxing vacation for him?” suggested Din Din. “Somewhere in the mountains?”

“Even though he loves to travel, he’ll never agree to go so far away from his work for long,” Dazel said, shaking her head.

“Remember, Wiz Rooster loves his work and school. If we take him away from his work he will spend all his time fretting about all his tasks which have been piling up. We should plan something which can help him relax and recharge for a while during the day,” suggested Delma.

“Yes, after a certain age, these adults take comfort in their routine and work. It fulfils them,” agreed Din Din. “I can see that with my grandparents.”

“I have an idea,” Dazel said, jumping up in delight. “Remember the boat we built for him a few years ago as a birthday present?”

“Yes,” replied Delma. “But where is that boat?”

“It’s in an old shed outside Wiz Rooster’s home. I remember when we first built it, Wiz used to travel around the lake every morning as Delma would push it with her snout,” shared Dazel. “But now over the years Wiz Rooster has stopped using it because he’s too busy and the boat has become worn out.”

“So, let’s repair it for him and convince him to take out time every morning or evening to relax and enjoy sailing around the lake,” Din Din added excitedly.

“Great idea! But the first assignment is to bring the boat here to the lakeside without Wiz Rooster knowing,” replied Dazel. “He goes to school every morning, come hail or storm. We can sneak the boat here then. Din Din, we’ll need your help to drag the boat here.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow morning,” assured Din Din, “As soon as my gardening is done.”

So, the next morning Din Din lugged the boat to the lakeside. “A few logs have splintered while we were dragging it,” he told Delma. The three friends surveyed the boat carefully. “He hasn’t used it for years,” Dazel said.

“Well, let’s assess the damage and figure out what we need,” Delma said. “Ten logs and lots of vine to tie them together. We will even have to replace the old vine because that’s become worn. It might be dangerous to leave the old vines in place.”

“So that basically means we have to retie all the logs again? That will take even more time than making the original boat because we have to take it apart and then assemble it again,” groaned Din Din.

“Okay then! Let’s get to it!” said Dazel clapping her wings together. By dusk the friends were too tired and could no longer continue their project. “It’s too dark to continue; we will have to resume tomorrow,” said Delma regretfully.

“Don’t forget to tie it to a rock, Delma,” joked Dazel. “Remember, the first time we made the boat it floated away because you forgot to tie it.” Delma blushed at the embarrassing memory as Din Din splashed her playfully. “Don’t worry. I’ll tie it now.”

The three friends worked together the next day as well and finally by noon the boat was in tip-top shape.

“It looks even better than it did before,” cheered Dazel.

“Go and get Wiz Rooster here,” urged Din Din.

So off Dazel flew in a flurry of yellow wings and landed on Wiz Rooster’s window at the Aviary School. “Sir, I need you to come with me, its urgent!” The rooster frowned in worry. “What’s the matter, Dazel?”

“I have to show you something, Sir,” the duck said and with those words flew towards the lake hoping the rooster would follow.

Sure enough, Wiz Rooster followed Dazel to the lakeside. When he landed on the lake bank he was surprised to see Din Din and Delma as well as the boat.

“Is everything okay? What’s this boat doing here?”

“We are here to make sure you take time out to relax, Sir,” chirped Dazel and gestured for the rooster to come. “Come aboard the boat.” Despite himself the rooster grinned. “You kids! This boat has been transformed.”

Once the rooster was perched on the raft and was pushed forward by Delma, Dazel circled the raft while Din Din laid out a picnic of fruits at the grassy bank.

“Ah! What a soothing evening it has been,” the rooster sighed in pleasure as the cool evening breeze blew through his white feathers. “I really needed this.”

“Well, this is part of your relaxing regimen, Sir. Promise us that every evening you will take out time to unwind and sail on the lake,” urged Dazel.

“I promise, my dears,” vowed Wiz Rooster. “You all have reminded me how important it is to take out time to relax so that I can be refreshed. This will surely help me to perform better at work.”

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