Over here, Michael! Kick it here!
I did it! I did it!
Well done, Karl.
Hey, everybody. Guess what?
- You found your missing notebook? - No, silly.
I get to read a poem I wrote at the cultural arts assembly.
What marvelous news.
Everyone in my class gets to do something, like a song or a dance,
and my teacher said I should read my poem.
I know a poem.
Roses are red, dragons are blue...
tables have legs, and so do you!
Thank you for sharing your poem with us, Karl.
I hope I can do as well as you in front of the assembly.
Don't worry. You're gonna do great.
You had no problem getting on stage for the school musical.
But this show feels different.
I'll be standing on stage all by myself, reading something I wrote.
Poetry comes from the heart,
and that means you'll be sharing a bit of yourself along with it.
I had to do a reading at an assembly once.
I practiced over and over again until I was confident.
Maybe you could do the same.
- You wanna read your poem to us? - Please read your poem.
It would be so delightful. Music to my ears.
Poem! Poem! Poem!
Guess it couldn't hurt to practice.
I will be reading a tanka.
It's a kind of Japanese poem.
I call it "Hummingbird."
Hummingbirds buzzing, I'm swaying to a soft breeze
My wings touch tall grass
Standing alone in nature, I'm never standing alone
Yeah!
That's the best poem I've ever heard.
The words were so swoopy!
Your poem made me feel just like a hummingbird.
Thanks.
I just thought about something I like and about being in nature.
- Then I put them together. - Two things together?
"Sweet Mochi and Green Bamboo." That will be my poem.
I wanna write one too!
And what's mochi?
It's a sweet, sticky rice.
Especially delicious when wrapped around ice cream.
Sounds good.
It is.
Now, let's find you two some paper
so you can write your poems while you feel inspired.
So, what'd you think of the reading?
The reading?
You did a great job reading.
Looked like you were having fun up there.
Wonder if Stillwater needs help finding that paper.
But what did you think of the poem?
Oh, the poem. It was interesting.
- In what way? - I-It gave me something to think about.
Great. It's supposed to.
So, what were you thinking?
Well, I was thinking that I didn't really understand it.
You don't have to understand it. As long as you feel it.
You didn't feel it either?
So that means you didn't like it.
I'm really sorry.
I'm not trying to upset you.
Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.
No. You were being honest.
But I wish I hadn't asked you what you thought.
Is everything okay, Michael?
I didn't understand Addy's poem.
I'll see if she would like her notebook back.
Hello, Addy.
I think this belongs to you.
Thanks, but you can keep it.
I don't wanna read my poem at the assembly.
You seemed so excited to read it earlier.
Did something change?
Michael didn't like it.
I can see how that would be disappointing.
You know, Addy, everyone experiences art differently,
whether it's a poem or a painting.
Sometimes it means you might not like it.
But what if I want everyone to like it?
There's someone I think you should talk to.
And on the way, I'll tell you a story you might find amusing.
I'd like to hear something amusing.
Now, this story takes place at an art gallery, not so very long ago.
An art gallery is a little bit like a museum.
Here, artists would show their latest masterpieces.
One evening, three young artists were doing just that.
They had their finest artwork on display.
They were extremely nervous,
because a very important art critic was there to see everyone's work.
Here he comes.
I hope he likes my painting.
Me too.
It was clear the artists greatly valued this critic's opinion.
I don't understand it.
I don't feel it.
I understand it.
I feel it.
But I don't care for it.
The artists were disappointed.
Especially when the critic praised the very next thing he saw.
Now, this...
this is a masterpiece.
The way it leans.
Such a bold artistic statement. So common, yet so sublime.
What an accurate depiction of yielding to the futility of tidiness.
To me, that is art.
It looks like a plain old broom to me.
There it is.
Been looking for this everywhere.
Excuse me, is that your artwork?
No, kid. It's my broom.
You'll never believe this,
but a famous art critic just called it a masterpiece.
Really?
Well, everyone's entitled to an opinion, I guess.
And if you want mine, these three right here are the real masterpieces.
At that moment, the three artists realized
that one opinion doesn't determine an object's worth,
no matter how important the critic.
Michael wasn't snooty like that art critic.
But I understand how those artists felt.
When someone doesn't like something you're proud of,
it doesn't feel very good.
I knew you'd understand that story.
And now, we have arrived.
It's Mr. Morgan! Is he the one you wanted me to talk to?
Yes, he is.
Mr. Morgan knows what it's like to write something from the heart,
just like you.
Everyone in my class is going to perform a song or a dance.
And what kind of art will you be sharing, Addy?
Poetry. It's something I wrote.
That's fantastic. You must be so excited.
I am.
I mean, I was.
I practiced reading my poem, but not everybody liked it.
And let me guess.
That made you question if your poem is any good
and if you're any good at writing poems?
How'd you know?
Because I've had those same feelings plenty of times myself.
You know, a lot of people like my books, but some people don't.
Really?
But your books are so much fun to read.
Well, thank you, Addy.
But not everyone feels that way.
In fact, it's impossible for everyone to feel the same way about everything.
So, do you just focus on the good things others say?
No.
If I believe the good reviews, I'd have to believe the bad ones too.
Instead, I just believe in myself.
Yourself?
If I'm happy with what I write, that's all that matters.
I love my mochi
Shaded by a bamboo tree It tastes oh-so sweet
Strawberry and green tea That's what's inside my mochi
Mochi ice cream sure is fun Now I want to eat me some
Bravo.
Yeah!
After hearing your poems,
I suddenly have a craving for mochi ice cream.
Addy?
I'm really sorry for upsetting you before.
I didn't mean to.
It's all right, Michael.
I've learned that not everyone is going to like my poem, and that's okay.
Does that mean you're gonna read your poem at the assembly?
I can't believe I'm gonna go out there and sing in front of everyone.
You'll do great. I love your singing.
Thanks.
But what if they don't like it? Or the show?
How can you be so calm?
I'm calm now, but I was worried earlier.
I thought my poem wasn't any good.
But now I realize there's only one person I have to please out there.
Let me tell you a story
about three artists who had their art in a show.
- Yeah! - You got this, Addy.
Thank you.
I will be reading a tanka poem I wrote called "Hummingbird."
Hummingbirds buzzing, I'm swaying to a soft breeze
My wings touch tall grass...
What a beautiful day for a hike.
Even the leaves are dancing with excitement.
Try and catch me, Koo!
This is gonna be the best nature hike ever.
I can't wait to look for all the birds in my book.
Very interesting.
There's so many to see.
Did you know these woods are home to an amazing 30 species of birds?
That's a lot of species.
What's a "species"?
"Species" is just a scientific way of saying "different types of birds."
See?
Some birds fly as high as planes, while others don't fly at all.
Today, I'm gonna find as many as I can.
And every time I see one, I'll get to put a check in one of these little boxes.
So many boxes.
You may have to look all day. That's a lot of birds.
Well, if anyone can check off all those boxes, it's Michael.
Now, everyone remember,
being a good bird watcher requires patience and careful observation.
What you see depends on where you look.
My bird-watching eyes are ready.
I think we're all excited to look for some beautiful birds.
Let's see what we can find.
Fun fact.
Birds will use what's available to make their nests.
Time for a power hop!
Koo, a bird.
Michael! What bird is this one?
You see a bird?
Maybe it'll come back. It was so fluffy.
It was fluffy? How fluffy?
Like this much feathery.
But are you sure, Karl?
I also looked at the bird. I thought it was smooth.
Okay, so smooth or fluffy.
- What color was it? - It was kind of red?
It could be any one of these.
Let's just keep walking.
I'm sorry, Michael.
I know you want to see birds. We will look for more.
Thanks, Koo.
Just remember, we need to be really observant
so we don't miss any details. Okay?
So much beauty around us, isn't there, Michael?
Uh-huh. Did you know the white-crested laughing thrush travel in flocks?
How lovely to have friends to fly with.
Michael!
There's something flying in circles up here.
No way!
It's gone.
Maybe it was an eagle.
Or a hawk. Or what about an osprey?
Or maybe it was a dragon! A big, fire-breathing one.
I'm not sure it was as big as a dragon.
But it was really big.
Why, hello there, little owl.
An owl? Awake during the day?
I'll bet it's a northern hawk owl. Or maybe a pygmy owl.
What a wonderful surprise.
A butterfly pretending to be an owl.
A butterfly that looks like an owl?
Let's just keep going. There's nothing to see here.
Don't worry, Koo. There's no alligators here.
So much more to see. Across the log we will go.
What an adventure.
Wait for me!
Are you enjoying the nature hike, Michael?
Not really.
I'm the only one who hasn't seen any birds today,
and that's the only reason I came along.
The only reason?
Well, maybe not the only reason.
But it was important.
Sometimes when we put all of our focus on one thing,
everything else can become invisible.
If we only look at what is in our hand,
we may miss something right under our nose.
Would you like to hear a story?
I always like hearing your stories.
And I always like telling them to you.
Now then. Many years ago,
there was a small town that was on its way to becoming a big city.
Benjamin had just started his new job as a maintenance worker.
Every day he would inspect the town's brand-new sidewalk
- for chips and cracks. - There's one over there.
And another here.
Benjamin was so focused on his work,
he never looked up from the sidewalk beneath him.
- Beautiful day, isn't it, Benjamin? - Indeed, that it is.
Several years passed, and Benjamin was a little older.
And so was the sidewalk.
And he continued to keep a watchful eye,
taking detailed notes of any cracks he found.
This crack has grown.
And over here somebody had a spill.
But while he continued to focus only on the sidewalk,
he didn't notice the big changes that were taking place around him.
Even more years passed,
and now Benjamin was very old...
...and still hard at work inspecting the sidewalk.
Excuse me. Pardon me.
If you wouldn't mind moving a bit, I just need to inspect this crack.
Benjamin, for your many years of hard work,
our great city thanks you for your service.
Why, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Over all these years,
you really must have seen a lot of changes.
Yes, I have.
The sidewalk used to be short, but now it's very long.
And I've watched many cracks form over the years.
I was referring to all the changes that have gone on in our great city.
When you started we were a very small town, but look at us now.
Benjamin was so busy looking down at the sidewalk all these years,
he never noticed the changes that were happening up above.
Now, how will you spend your well-deserved vacation?
Imagine all the things I could have seen if I just looked up every once in a while.
Well, I'm gonna start doing that right now.
I've been acting a lot like Benjamin today.
The whole hike I've been focused on my book
instead of looking up around me.
In order to really experience the world, we have to open our senses.
Only then are we able to see all the remarkable things around us.
What do you see when you look around?
Well, I see lots of trees and a creek.
- And a panda. - Yes.
All those things are here.
Now, close your eyes.
Let's tune in to everything around us.
What do you smell?
I smell fresh pine needles and wet leaves.
And what do you feel?
I feel dirt crunching beneath my shoes.
What do you hear?
I hear the wind blowing through the leaves,
and...
I hear birds.
A woodpecker and a robin.
Tell me, Michael, now what do you see?
I can't believe it.
Hey, Michael.
Did you check anything off your list?
No, but I found lots of amazing things that weren't on my list.
Come on. I'll show you.
Aren't you gonna use your book?
I'm gonna look up for a change.
Do you hear that? That's a woodpecker.
Wow.
And look over there. A dragonfly.
And a robin. See?
With our spirits We were floating through the trees
Like creatures, we were soaring high Blowing off some steam
Or a mountain And its effervescent green
A never-ending dream
I found a little bit of honey
And now I'm a little sweeter inside
It's just a little bit funny
But now I have the world on my side