Charlie flew up to Stuart's shoulder and picked up Stuart's shirt collar in his beak.   He started to fly up in the air and pulled Stuart up to his feet.   Charlie hovered in the air while Stuart tried to take a step.   Stuart looked at the black feather in his pocket.   He took one step and then another.   It was working!   With Charlie's magic feather, Stuart could walk!

"I can do it!   I can walk!" yelled Stuart.

Charlie let go of Stuart's collar and Stuart kept walking.

"Well, I'll be," whispered Charlie.

Stuart believed that Charlie's feather was magic and that it would help him walk.   Because Stuart believed so hard in that feather, he COULD walk.   The feather was the magic power of belief that Stuart needed.

"Come on, kid," yelled Charlie as he flew off in front of Stuart.   "I'll show you the way.   Just follow me."

Charlie flew in through the open barn door and Stuart followed close behind.   Just at they entered the barn, a loud clap of thunder let them know that the storm was getting worse and they had found dry shelter just in time.

Charlie perched on the rung of the ladder that went up into the hay loft.   Stuart sat down on the nearest bale of hay.   He was quite out of breath and leaned his back against the horse stall.   The rain pounded on the roof of the barn.

"Boy, I sure am glad to be in here," said Stuart.   "It is so dry and warm, and, it smells good too."

"Well, I prefer a tree myself," said Charlie.   "I like to stay outside in the rain, it feels so good.   I can see where you would have a problem though."

"Why do you like it outside in the rain, Charlie?" asked Stuart.

"I have oil on my wings that lets the rain run off and it doesn't get under my feathers.   The rain washes the dirt and dust off my feathers and feels good.   I can see where you would get pretty soggy in a few minutes.   Guess you need some oil on you, kid."

Stuart leaned his head back.   He wondered what Billy would say when he woke up and saw that he was not in the garden.   He wondered how he would ever get back on his stick.   He was so happy that he was out of the rain that this adventure seemed worth all the effort.