named Kami sat on her nest. The nest held two eggs, each almost
the size of a football. Kami had been taking turns with her mate,
Hiro, sitting on the eggs, keeping them cool from the heat of
the sun.
Kami and Hiro both helped out with their soon to be hatchlings,
although Hiro spent most of his time sitting in the hot sun. It had
been thirty-six days since Kami layed the eggs, so any day now
would bring the joy of parenthood.
Hiro stepped over to Kami. "I'll take over now," he told her.
"Well, thank you, my love," Kami replied as she stood up, and
gave a long sigh of relief as she stretched her legs.
Hiro took his place on the nest, but wasn't there long before he
jumped right back up again. "Oh, dear!"
"What is it?" Kami asked.
But Hiro didn't have to answer. The faintest sound reached their ears-"crack". The two proud parents bent their long necks down and gazed upon the nest. They watched as each egg began to split open, and the first signs of their new children began to appear.
"Yes, this is exciting," Hiro replied, also in a whisper.
It seemed to take forever, but eventually, the newly hatched ostrich chicks were free of their shells. They were wet, and very wobbly, as they looked around at their new surroundings.
Kami sighed again. "Oh, Hiro, both boys. How wonderful."
"Yes, that is good. Two sons. I am very pleased."
"What shall we call them?"
Hiro bent his neck down again and looked at the weird looking babies, who's feathers were already beginning to dry in the warm sun.