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pleased.
     
    The day was Blue-Green-Blue, and many animals came early to admire the kites and do preselection.  The atmosphere was like a festival.  Everyone was given a lottery ticket with a symbol on it.  Bartholomew would draw the matching ticket from a barrel and announce the symbol.  The holder of that ticket got to pick the kite of their choice.  It was a fair method and had been used many times.
     
    After a brief welcoming speech, Bartholomew reached into the barrel and grabbed a ticket with a fish symbol on it.  He held it up, and Brie Bluebird yelled, “It’s me!”
     
    The animals cheered as she flew over to the kites.  After about five minutes she chose a 1-foot, blue and white kite with a yellow tail.
     
    The next ticket drawn had an oak leaf symbol on it.  The winner was Merwin Mole.  Again, everyone cheered.  Merwin had arrived early, so he knew exactly which kite he wanted.  He walked directly to a multi-colored, (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) box kite and proudly picked it up.
     
    So the selection process continued until there was only one ticket remaining.  The last one to choose was Dr. Brigit.  There were six kites left, and she selected a solid green box kite.
     
    The whole process took about two hours, and everyone was very happy with their kite.  They were eager to begin practicing.
     
    But now it was Bartholomew’s opportunity to present his sailing ship idea.
     
    He began. “Today, has been a great success.  There are so many beautiful kites here.  Thank you very much Morris, Rhonda, and Birk for the fantastic job you have done.”
     
    Everyone stood and clapped.
     
    “I am sure that you all would like to start practicing with your kites, and today is a perfect day for it.  However, before you leave, please let me propose a new project to you.  As you know, I do a lot of reading.  Recently, I began reading this book about sailing ships.”
     
    He held it up for everyone to see.  
     
    “I saw all of the beautiful ships in the book and thought it would be nice if Ballymore had a ship or boat for the pond.”
     
    An “ooh” went through the crowd.  Bartholomew noticed and smiled.
     
    “The boat could be used for general sailing and for transportation.  Right now, we only have the ducks’ raft.  Based upon our needs and the size of the pond, I estimate that it would be about fifteen feet long and four feet wide.  There would be a single mast about fifteen feet high and three sails.”
     
    They “oohed” again.  
     
    “It would take significant effort to build and maintain, but the boat would be a wonderful and useful asset for Ballymore.  I would design it and manage the building project.  The boat would look like this one but about one-half the size.”
     
     He held up a picture of a beautiful Irish Hooker on the high seas.  It was obvious that everyone was impressed.
     
    “I ask for your interest and support.  Would everybody who likes the idea, please raise their arm or wing.”
     
    About 90% of the animals raised their arm or wing and cheered. 
     
    “Now, would everybody who does not like the idea, please raise their arm or wing.”
     
    No one raised anything.
     
    “The project is approved.  I thank you so much,” he said.
     
    Another cheer went up.
     
    “I will be organizing the project soon and will be in touch with you.  My goal is to have the boat ready for the Midsummer’s Eve celebration.  Thank you, again.  Now, please go and enjoy the day and your kites.”
     
     After some final cheering, the group began to breakup and return to their homes.
     
    Morris thanked Rhonda and Birk for their help.  
     
    “You have made a great start as my apprentice,” he said to Birk and patted him on the back.
     
    Birk smiled and looked down bashfully at his furry paws.

 
     
    It was a good practice week.  Everyone experimented with loops and turns and dives.  The animals had fun learning how their kites responded to the wind or a