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At one with the natural

Nausheetz Rahman spots the child in herself
According to Harper Trophy, The Trumpet of the Swan is for readers of ages 8-12, but adults with even a little of the child left in them are sure to find the book immensely pleasurable.
The first chapter, which is called 'SAM', is abotit an unusual elevenyear-old boy who likes nothing more than to explore nature. He also likes to "keep things to himself” and prefers his own company, particularly when he goes into the woods. He looks forward to his camping trips where his only worries are of getting lost and of what to be when he grows up. He has a good knowledge of birds and keeps a diary. After writing about the day's happenings, he always rounds off the entry by asking himself a question, “so he would have something to think about while falling asleep".
Alongside Sam's story unfolds another, very moving tale, that of a trumpeter swan and his family. A sturdy friendship builds up between Sam, and Louis, one of the cygnets.
Louis, the hero of this charming story, is a trumpeter swan who can't trumpet like other trumpeter swans; in fact, he can't utter any sound. When his parents discover this defect, they think it is a temporary one.
As the months go by. both Louis and his parents realize that he will always remain handicapped. They deal with this realization in their own respective ways. Louis goes to Sam's school with him and learns to read and write, and his father resolves to get him a trumpet to solve his speech problem. Soon, Louis falls in love with Serena, an attractive swan, but can't make her understand his feelings, due to his inability' to communicate with her.
The episodes centering around Louis's and his father's experiences are delightfully depicted.
Louis's character is very endearing and he seems to touch a chord in our hearts. The events that take place in his life: how he learns to play the trumpet, what jobs he takes up. how he composes his music, how he courts his lady love, all appear to have a magical quality about them.
His love story is one that can be empathized with. It is told realistically and very sweetly but whether his love is reciprocated or not. is for the readers to find out.
Not many animal characters in fiction can claim to be as interesting and adorable as Louis Louis, who earns enough money to help clear his father's conscience (and have some left over), who is awarded a medal for saving a boy from drowning, who carries a Little slate around his neck on which he writes to communicate with people, and who is a marvellous musician.
The world of swans and their activities, building nests, laying eggs, and learning to fly. etc. are presented in a way that makes us feel we are a part of the whole thing, at one with this tranquil, natural world.
We read about Sam who decides what he would like to be when he grows up; he wants to work in a zoo because he "loved every living thing, and a zoo is a great storehouse of living tilings it has just about every creature that creeps or crawls, or jumps, or runs or flies or hides".
The Trumpet of the Swan is illustrated with sketches by Fred Marcellino whose picture books are very' popular. It is a book that will thrill youngsters and evoke nostalgiainadults.
All those (young and old) who love nature and/or animals will fall in love with this book, which was named an ALA Notable Children s Book. John Updike of The New York Times says "We are lucky to have this book”.
E.B. White is also the author of Charlottc'sWeb and Stuart Little.
Nausheen Rahman reads voraciously and is a teacher