The Trumpet of the Swan

Louis is a Trumpeter Swan who came into the world lacking a voice. When his father explained to him that he was different from other cygnets, Louis felt scared. His father, however, promised to help.
Sam Beaver, a boy who loved all wild things, took Louis to school, where he learned to read and write. This was a help, but it did not solve his major problem: he was in love with the beautiful swan, Serena, and she spurned him because he was defective. And that was when Louis's father, the old cob, did a difficult thing - he put honor aside and stole a trumpet so his son would be able to woo his love.
Louis's determination to become a trumpeter and pay off his father's debt takes him far from the wilderness he loves. But he succeeds and wins the swan of his desiring.

Utdrag ur boken:
“What have you got there?” [Mr. Beaver] asked Sam.
“It’s a young Trumpeter Swan,” said Sam. “He’s only a few months old. Will you let me keep him awhile?”
“Well,” said Mr. Beaver, “I think it’s against the law to hold one of these wild birds in captivity. But I’ll phone the game warden and see what he says. If he says yes, you can keep him.”
“Tell the warden the swan has something the matter with him,” called Sam as his father started toward the house.
“What’s wrong with him?” asked his father.
“He has a speech problem,” replied Sam. “Something’s wrong with his throat.”
“What are you talking about? Who ever heard of a swan with a speech problem?”
“Well,” said Sam, “this is a Trumpeter Swan that can’t trumpet. He’s defective. He can’t make a sound.”
Mr. Beaver looked at his son as though he couldn’t know whether to believe him or not. But he went into the house.

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