It started many years ago in the land called Red Berry Hill. There was a ptarmigan who lived on one of the hills. Her name was Meagan.

She was a very pretty bird. In fact, she was the prettiest bird of them all. She had the whitest feathers, blackest beak, and the prettiest tail. Every male bird wanted her but she wasn't ready for a male in her hands. She wanted to be free for a bit longer. Meagan didn't want to have to sit all day on those eggs-not yet.

There was this one ptarmigan that was jealous of Meagan. She was pretty but the other male birds never paid any attention to her. So one night when Meagan was sleeping, she went over to her and was just about to put red berries on her eyes when Meagan woke-up and asked,

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing," replied the ptarmigan, "Just admiring your beauty."

"Thanks," replied Meagan, "But isn't it a little late to be here?"

"I know it is, but I wanted to see you," She said.

Well, that time it didn't work for her but she said to herself that she'd try again.

Well, weeks went by and still she couldn't do anything to Meagan. Everytime she tried, she'd wake up and ask the same questions.

So, one day, she decided that if they both flew on the otherside of the hill, she'd get Meagan.

"Meagan," she shouted, "Let's go for a fly over the hill!"

"Okay," she answered, "I need the fresh air."

As they were flying over, the jealous ptarmigan purposely pushed Meagan and she crashed to the ground.

"Hey," shouted Meagan, "What did you do that for?"

"It was an accident," she answered. "Are you alright?"

"I think I am but my wing is a little twisted. Can you help me?"

"Sure," she said evilly. As Meagan walked over toward her, she grabbed her and started to rub the red berries over her eyes.

"Get off me," yelled Meagan. "What are you doing?"

"You're too pretty," She said. "I'm jealous of you!"

After she was done with her evil deed, she flew back to the village to spread the news about Meagan's eyes. When Meagan returned with red lines over her eyes, everyone watched her but no-one said anything at first. She walked over to them with a shameful look on her face. But then everyone began to comment that they liked it.

One of the male birds asked Meagan, "Where'd you get those red eyebrows from?"

Pointing at the jealous ptarmigan, she said indignantly, "She smeared them on me with red berries."
"But I like them," he said. "Put some on me."

So everyone in the flock put some on, that is everyone except the jealous one. She only moved away from them because she now felt unwanted.

And that's how the ptarmigan got their red eyebrows.

Story by:

MICTEE PRINCE

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