Sam's Decision in the Swamp

The boy, named Sam, was on a camping trip with his father in the woods of Canada.

Sam was filled with wonder after discovering the nest of a Trumpeter Swan, which he had never seen before.

The nest was located on a small pond, and the swans were much larger than any bird Sam had seen before.

The male swan was guarding the female, who was sitting on eggs.

When Sam returned to camp, he found his father cooking fish for lunch.

Mr. Beaver warned Sam about the dangers of exploring the swampy pond near their campsite, as it was easy to get lost.

Sam loved the camping trips in Canada with his father, and they would often hire a bush pilot to fly them to a lake for fishing and exploring.

The pilot's name was Shorty, and he would land his plane on the lake to pick them up when their trip was over.

Sam enjoyed the peacefulness of the woods and the freedom from the distractions of everyday life, but he kept his discovery of the swans a secret.

Sam was unsure about what he wanted to do when he grew up, but he enjoyed his time in the woods with his father.

Sam and his father spent evenings on the campsite porch, and Sam wondered if they would be returning to camp in about a month.

Mr. Beaver found it strange that Sam wanted to return in thirty-five days, as he believed the area was nice all the time.

Spring was arriving, marked by budding trees, migrating birds, and the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird.

The first warm day of spring brought the arrival of Trumpeter Swans.

Trumpeter Swans are large, pure white birds with black bills and feet.

They settled in a swampy pond to nest and raise a family.

For the first few days, they rested and fed.

The female began looking for a nesting site, a crucial decision for hatching eggs and rearing young.

They explored the upper and lower ends of the pond, considering various nesting locations.

The female found an ideal location on a tiny island, making it difficult for predators to access due to the long approach through the water and land.

The male swan, or cob, defended their territory with his large wings, which could deliver a powerful blow.

Trumpeter Swans have special names for their genders, including cob for the male.

Spring was arriving, marked by budding trees, migrating birds, and the arrival of the Red-winged Blackbird.

The first warm day of spring brought the arrival of Trumpeter Swans.

Trumpeter Swans are large, pure white birds with black bills and feet.

They settled in a swampy pond to nest and raise a family.

For the first few days, they rested and fed.

The female began looking for a nesting site, a crucial decision for hatching eggs and rearing young.

They explored the upper and lower ends of the pond, considering various nesting locations.

The female found an ideal location on a tiny island, making it difficult for predators to access due to the long approach through the water and land.

The male swan, or cob, defended their territory with his large wings, which could deliver a powerful blow.

Trumpeter Swans have special names for their genders, including cob for the male.

A swan and her mate are sitting on their nest, waiting for their eggs to hatch. The swan leaves the nest to drink and bathe, unaware of the danger nearby.

The Red Fox, attracted by the sound of water, approaches the swan intending to kill and eat her. The swan's mate, a cob, notices the fox and warns her.

Just as the fox is about to attack, Sam Beaver, a boy who visited them a month ago, saves the swan by throwing a stick at the fox, causing it to run away.

The swans are grateful to Sam for saving their lives and consider him their friend. Sam is thrilled to have saved the swans and is fascinated by their eggs and nest.

Sam reflects on the beauty and mystery of eggs and nests, marveling at how a bird knows how to build a nest without being taught.

The text describes the sounds of triumph and victory ringing around the pond after the fox is driven away, and Sam's joy and excitement at being near the swans.

The text also includes Sam's reflection on the importance and wonder of eggs and nests, and his curiosity about how birds build nests.

The swan glides through the water with the arrival of warmer weather and disappearing mist.

The swan's wife notes the swan's graceful language and corrects him, encouraging him to focus on gliding more.

The swan sits on her eggs, feeling them stirring with life after 35 days.

In the late afternoon, the first cygnet emerges, gray and mustard-colored, with bright eyes and wobbly legs.

The cob, the male swan, is overjoyed at the birth of their first cygnet and expresses his happiness.

The swan's wife suggests the cygnet could be a daughter, but the cob is confident they will have a good hatch.

Sam Beaver goes for a walk in the morning and leaves a note for his father.

Sam approaches the pond where the swans live with field glasses, and the swans welcome his presence.

The swans have a conversation about Sam's "big eyes" and believe his field glasses make them appear larger and more graceful.

Sam observes the swans hatching their cygnets and is content to keep company with them in the wilderness.

Sam spots the first cygnet's head and watches as more cygnets emerge, one at a time, and settle down next to their mother.

Father expresses his concern about having a defective child, a son named Louis, who seems to be unable to talk

Wife observes that Louis has never made a sound and suspects he was born without a voice

Cob (father) is distressed by this news as it could hinder Louis' ability to find a mate in the future

Wife recalls their past and how her voice played a significant role in attracting the cob to her

Cob remembers having a fine and resonant voice that helped him win her over

Cob decides to test Louis to see if he really has no voice

Cob takes Louis aside for a private talk and urges him to say "beep" to prove his ability to make sounds.

The cygnets (young swans) are enjoying their time near the pond with various activities and sounds of nature

They are about to embark on a journey to Montana, a state in the US, for the winter

Montana is described as having Red Rock Lakes, warm water from hidden springs, few enemies, and plenty of resources for swans

The cygnets are reassured that flying is achievable with the right attitude and good wing feathers

Flying is explained as having three parts: takeoff, ascent, and leveling-off

The cygnets express concerns about flying and getting lost, but their father reassures them that swans do not get dizzy and feel exalted in the air

The cygnets are encouraged to observe their father's demonstration of flying before attempting it themselves.

"Circle" is a Chinese character with multiple meanings, one of which is the English word "spy." In the text, "circle" is used as a verb meaning "to turn in a circle," and "spy" is used as a noun meaning "intelligence agent."

The cob bird, determined to obtain a brass trumpet, crashes through a music store window.

The store owner grabs his shotgun, which accidentally goes off, causing further damage to the store.

The owner, the clerks, and a salesgirl are all shocked and injured during the robbery. The cob manages to escape with the trumpet.

The next day, a newspaper reports on the unusual event, causing a stir in the town of Billings.

The cob explains to his wife that he robbed the store to get a trumpet for their son Louis.

The police are notified and investigate the damage, but express difficulty in finding and apprehending the avian thief.

The cob eventually returns home with the trumpet for his son, who is waiting nearby.

The text also mentions that the owner of the store estimates the damage to be around $900, and that some townspeople doubt the veracity of the newspaper report.

Louis discovers his love for the trumpet but faces issues with its theft and Serena's departure

He seeks help from Sam Beaver and sets off to the Bar Nothing Ranch

Flying with a trumpet and other belongings proves to be challenging

At the ranch, Sam offers Louis a job as camp bugler at a boys' camp in Ontario

Louis practices bugle calls and learns to play them effectively

Sam buys him a trumpet call book and teaches him how to hold and clean the trumpet

Louis practices daily in preparation for the camp job

He expresses his musical inclination and eagerness to become a good trumpeter

They pack for their departure to Camp Kookooskoos the next day, where Louis is likely to be the only camp bugler, a trumpeter swan.

Mr. Brickle, the director of the camp, addressed the boys and counselors gathered around a campfire

Introduced a new camper, Louis the Swan, a rare Trumpeter Swan

Hired Louis as a counselor, paying him the same salary as junior counselors

Louis is a musician, has a speech defect, and came from Montana with Sam Beaver

Boys clapped and welcomed Louis after he played a note on his trumpet, which was echoed across the lake

Applegate Skinner, who didn't like birds, was reminded to treat Louis with respect

New boy asked about the camp's name, Camp Kookooskoos, and was told it was an Indian name for the Great Horned Owl

Mr. Brickle explained the importance of a peculiar name for a boys' camp and encouraged the boys to go to bed, with Louis playing taps to signal the end of the day.

Louis, a swan with a trumpet, a moneybag, a lifesaving medal, a slate, and a chalk pencil, approached the boatman asking for work.

The boatman offered Louis a job leading and playing his trumpet in front of a Swan Boat, as it had no motor or oars.

The passengers were thrilled to see a live swan playing a trumpet and named him Louis, after the famous jazz musician.

Louis could write with his chalk pencil, and the passengers were amazed, cheering loudly.

The Swan Boat was shaped like a swan, with a hollow body, a bicycle seat, and pedals for propulsion.

Louis led the Swan Boat around the lake, playing music that delighted the passengers, who praised the unusual event as a dream and a lark.

The Swan Boats became an instant success, attracting large crowds and long lines, quadrupling the boatman's business.

Louis revealed he was in debt and needed the money to pay off his obligations.

The Swan Boats circled the lake throughout the day, carrying happy people, mostly children, and becoming a beloved attraction in Boston.

The boatman acknowledged Louis's talent and offered him a steady job, paying him $100 a week.

Louis admitted his debt to the boatman, who was surprised that a swan would need money.

The Swan Boats continued their daily routine of entertaining people, with Louis playing his trumpet, and the boatman selling tickets.

The Swan Boats operated all day long, carrying passengers around the lake.

The boatman was pleased with Louis's performance and asked where he would be spending the night.

Louis planned to spend the night on the lake.

The boatman was unsure about Louis staying on the lake.

Louis goes to an expensive restaurant and orders 12 sandwiches, costing $18.00. He signs the bill as "Louis the Swan" and leaves a tip.

Due to his long neck, Louis doesn't need a chair to eat and only wants the watercress from the sandwiches.

Feeling lonely, Louis thinks about his loved ones and wishes Serena was there with him.

He finds an article in the evening paper about himself, a Trumpeter Swan playing the trumpet for Swan Boat riders in the Public Garden.

Louis writes a letter to Sam Beaver about his experiences in Boston, his new job, and the enclosed newspaper clipping.

He addresses and mails the letter, then prepares for bed by taking a bath and playing his trumpet for Serena.

The Ritz has a strict no-brass-instruments-in-bedrooms rule, so Louis puts his trumpet away and goes to sleep, dreaming of Serena and the north.

Louis encounters various wild animals at a place he seldom visits due to work commitments in the city. Animals include snakes, zebras, monkeys, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, foxes, bears, hippos, rhinos, woodchucks, skunks, hawks, and owls.

Louis is offered a job at a famous nightclub in Philadelphia. He will be required to make appearances every evening except Sunday and play the trumpet for customers.

The job will start on October fifteenth, and Louis will be paid well. Mr. Lucas, his agent, will handle the contract.

The cab fare to the nightclub will be paid by Mr. Lucas. Louis is also advised to leave his moneybag with Mr. Lucas for safekeeping during his stay in Philadelphia.

The birds in the zoo's luxury lagoon have undergone surgery, with one wing being clipped to prevent them from flying away. However, Mr. Lucas has negotiated with the management to allow Louis to keep his wing intact.

In return, Louis is expected to perform a free concert every Sunday afternoon at the lake for the people of Philadelphia. He is uncertain about the arrangement but accepts it due to his financial needs.

Louis arrives at the North Entrance of the zoo at nine on the evening of October fifteenth, and a taxi is waiting to take him to the nightclub. He is determined to protect himself if anyone tries to clip his wing.

The lake is home to various water birds, including ducks, geese, and three resident Trumpeter Swans named Curiosity, Felicity, and Apathy. Louis plans to meet them later.

The lake is fenced, and Louis flies over it to reach the North Entrance on the night of his first performance. He lands there promptly at nine and enters the taxi that takes him to his new job.

Louis, a trumpeter swan, arrives at Bird Lake and falls in love with a new swan named Serena.

Louis attacks and defeats two keepers trying to capture Serena, using his long neck and powerful wings.

Serena slips into the water and glides away with Louis following.

Louis visits the Head Man in Charge of Birds to declare his love for Serena.

The Head Man advises that Serena now belongs to the zoo and cannot be taken away.

Louis argues that she belongs to him due to the power of love.

The Head Man explains that Serena needs to have her left wingtip amputated to stay at the zoo and that Louis is making a mistake by wanting to take her away.

Louis insists on his desire for freedom and plays "Button up your overcoat, when the wind blows free."

The Head Man understands Louis' desire for freedom.

The text takes place on pages 142 to 145.

Sam and the Head Man discuss animals and their habit of acquiring things, with Sam sharing his observation that rats collect objects.

Sam and the Head Man visit the Philadelphia Zoo, where Sam writes a poem about the various animals and his experiences.

Sam leaves the poem on the Head Man's desk and departs from Philadelphia by plane, accompanied by Louis and Serena.

Louis and Serena are two large white swans, causing a commotion at the airport as they follow the plane.

Sam's plane gains speed and leaves the swans behind, with Louis and Serena changing course to head south.

They fly across several states, taking in different sights, before turning west and heading towards their home in Upper Red Rock Lake.

Louis had left Montana penniless, unknown, and alone, but now returns rich, famous, and with his bride Serena by his side.

The text highlights the freedom and joy that Louis feels in his accomplishments and newfound love.

Louis and Serena, a pair of swans, felt the arrival of spring and new life.

The world was waking up, with trees budding and birds returning.

Serena built her nest on a muskrat lodge, different from where Louis hoped.

They spent happy days raising their cygnets, who were hatched from eggs.

Every day was filled with joy, regardless of weather.

Once a year, they embarked on a long journey across America.

They visited Camp Kookooskoos, where Louis had saved a life and won a medal.

In Boston, the Swan Boatman welcomed them with a night at the Ritz.

In Philadelphia, Louis donated a cygnet to the zoo as promised.

After spending the winter in Montana, they returned to Canada to raise their family each spring.

Louis, a musician, took good care of his trumpet, which had attracted Serena to him.

Swans live long lives, and Louis and Serena continued this pattern year after year.

Sam Beaver, a friend, learned the meaning of the word "crepuscular" during a conversation with his father.