Have you ever come across this kind of incident where one person, who knows the truth behind something, but is being covered up by another guy. Person one is made out to be the bad guy by person two. People gang up on him by taking the liar's side. Eventually, person one has to retreat. In this story, Micheal Morpurgo, the author shows us, the truth being revealed, after a lot of struggle and prejudice.
This story is based in the Isles of Scilly, during the beginning of the first world war in 1914. On a seaside island named Bryher, two kids, Daniel and Gracie are warned to stay away from the infamous birdman who lives on the island. Everyone avoids him, as they think he is a madman, there were all sorts of stories telling how he and his mother came from the nearby Samson island, which is believed to be cursed. He is called the birdman because he can carve wooden birds like cormorants. But then, they became curious, and soon starting becoming friends with him using messages in the sand. They soon get to meet the birdman in person and learn a lot about him and his character. He told them to stay off Samson island, which he has a horrific past with him. The birdman was always there during the children's hard times. But a theory is made that the birdman is a German spy and was signalling to their submarines. This soon leads to the fate of Bryher island. The truth behind the birdman's story is revealed!
Everyone on the island was prejudiced against the birdman. They have made up a lot of hogwash about him, like, he was a cannibal and ate dogs or that if you touched him, you would also turn loony like him. One boy, Daniel Pender, took up the initiative and trusted the birdman. He didn't even know him well or saw him yet he still trusted him. In this world, we need people who can trust, people who don't assume but think, Daniel was the doer, not the talker and that's what made him my favourite character.
Making friends with people is like trying out a new ice-cream flavour. I never liked cookies 'N' cream at first but now its my favourite flavour. Gracie, did not trust the birdman too. However, when her father was off in the army, and they were short of food, the birdman anonymously left a pot of jam, honey, milk or bread at their door, winning her trust. Like they say, 'the cover is not the book'.
Why the Whales came. That's a peculiar name for a book isn't it? The book only mentions whales in the last few chapters which gives a kind of suspense to it. I looked at the cover and tried to understand why it was named so. It is hugely related to the curse of Samson, which is fully revealed as the truth by the birdman in the end! Unless you read the book, your questions will not be answered. So what are you waiting for? Order now!!
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