If I had to describe Kankakee in one word, it would be "diverse." It is truly a vibrant, interesting, and eclectic community. That fact was made crystal clear when I met my newest neighbor..... a wild turkey. I did a double take when I saw this huge bird (it is more than three feet tall) grazing in my neighbor's front yard! It brought to mind one of my favorite library stories:

One day, many years ago, I was a new librarian working the Circulation desk, and not familiar with some of the more unusual library patrons. A giant chicken came in, looked me in the eye and clucked, "b-b-b-book!" I was so shocked to see a six foot chicken in the library, that I gave him the book. He left. Afterwards, I convinced myself that I must have imagined the whole thing.

The next day, I looked up from the desk, and was surprised to see the giant chicken silently standing right in front of me, staring at me. I blinked, rubbed my eyes. He was still there, and on the counter was the book he had borrowed the day before. "May I help you?" I asked tentatively. "B-b-b-book, book!" He clucked abruptly and loudly. I was flabbergasted and a little frightened by his giant beak. I handed him two books. I watched stunned as he left the building.

On the third day the giant chicken came back, both books in tow. "B-b-b-book, book, BOOK!" He clucked. I handed him three books. ... But this time I followed him. Out the door, down the block, and headed toward the Kankakee River just two blocks away. Was he going to throw the books into the river!?!?! I snuck up on him and watched as he carefully laid the three books on a log near the banks of the river. He sat there quietly watching the river for a long time. I was startled when a large frog hopped out of the river and said, "Read-it, read-it, read-it."

My son, a seven year old, loves this joke. May all the giant birds you encounter by kind, and nice to librarians.

Happy Reading,
Cindy