Safe Again

The bird was wrapped inside something soft like a sack and could not see outside

Step 1: The phrase 'bundled into a soft darkness' is a literary expression used by the author. Step 2: The glossary at the bottom of the page explains it as 'wrapped into something soft (like a sack or a bag) and not being able to see what is happening outside.' Step 3: The boy captured the bird by wrapping it so it could not see or escape. Step 4: A dark room, a cave, or dark feathers are all incorrect — none of these match the meaning of the phrase. Step 5: This phrase shows the bird's confusion and helplessness during capture.

The bird had been in darkness and could not see clearly in sudden bright light

Step 1: After being captured, the bird was kept in a 'soft darkness' (the sack). Step 2: When suddenly exposed to bright light, the bird could not see properly for a short time. Step 3: The glossary defines 'dazzled by the light' as 'unable to see for a short time because of the bright light.' Step 4: This happens in real life too — when we come out of a dark room into bright sunlight, our eyes take time to adjust. Step 5: The bird was not blind and no torch was used — it was simply the sudden contrast from darkness to bright light.

A place where birds rest

Step 1: The word 'roost' appears when the windhovers heard footsteps approaching them at night. Step 2: The text says 'We shuffle to the back of the roost.' Step 3: The glossary defines 'roost' as 'a place where birds rest.' Step 4: While a roost can sometimes be near where birds nest, it is specifically defined as a resting place — not a hunting ground or a flying school. Step 5: So the correct meaning of 'roost' in this story is a place where birds rest.

He was selfish and wanted to keep the wild bird only for himself

Step 1: The boy watched the windhovers from the playground and knew the birds. Step 2: When he captured the bird, he said 'I want you just for myself' — the word 'just for myself' shows selfishness. Step 3: He did not care that the bird was getting thin and sick; he still wanted to keep it. Step 4: Selling the bird or being kind are not supported by the text at this point. Step 5: Only later, after the girl talked to him, did his behaviour begin to change — showing that at first, he was being selfish.