A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home

Lafayette takes off, and Celeste squeals in excitement. She marvels at the creeks, forests, and homes below her as she sees the world from a new perspective. The osprey glides along the river, and Celeste exchanges greetings with a flock of brightly colored parakeets. In a flooded wood, she sees “long, rough-skinned creatures” with snapping jaws (215), which Lafayette explains are alligators. Celeste recognizes Oakley Plantation because of the magnolia tree near the house. The osprey is relieved that they found their destination early in the morning before hunters are about. He observes, “More and more guns shooting into the air these days” (217). Celeste asks Lafayette to take her to the dogwood tree so she can gather some berries. Then he carries her up to Joseph’s window. Lafayette promises that they’ll see each other again soon. Celeste thanks her friend for bringing her home and for the wonderful flight.

Being back in the familiar surroundings of Joseph’s room fills Celeste with comfort and joy. Cornelius is relieved to see his friend, and he gratefully gobbles the berries she gives him. Celeste pushes a dogwood twig into Cornelius’s cage, and she insists that he pose and sing for Joseph. The boy awakens and is ecstatic to see that the mouse is back. He gives her kisses and peanuts, and she basks in “the warmth and safety of his gentle hands” (225). At Celeste’s cue, Cornelius hops onto the twig and sings. The beautiful birdsong inspires Joseph, and he sketches and paints the scene with great confidence and enthusiasm. Mr. Audubon stops by the boy’s room and says, “I see my instruction has inspired you. This is beautiful. Your dogwood is perfect” (230). Joseph thanks the bird for the inspiration.

While the humans are eating supper in the dining room, Celeste chews through the rope holding Cornelius’s cage shut. He admires the painting Joseph made of him and explains to Celeste that it’s time for him to fly south for the winter, but he’ll return in the spring. Celeste did not expect to be parted from her friend, and she sheds a tear. Cornelius thanks her for saving him and says, “You’re a good friend” (238). Celeste watches her friend fly away with a flock of thrushes. Suddenly, her instincts sense a predator. She looks down from the desk and sees the cat watching her.

With the cat in pursuit, Celeste leaps off of Joseph’s desk, flees across the hall, and darts through a knothole at the base of a door. She scales a staircase and finds an attic where various pieces of old furniture and other discarded objects look like “[h]ills and valleys of unimagined treasures” to the little mouse (246). The exhaustion of the past several days creeps up on Celeste, and she curls up inside a feather tick mattress and falls asleep.

Celeste awakens to the screeching of a bird. Mr. Audubon says, “He’ll be a great live model for the osprey painting” (250). He tells Joseph to go to New Orleans for supplies. The boy is reluctant to begin his journey without Celeste because he feels lost without her. After Joseph and Mr. Audubon leave, Celeste hurries into Mr. Audubon’s room and finds Lafayette tied to the bed. The osprey explains that he was shot down soon after he dropped her off but could fly if he were freed. Celeste starts to chew through the leather strap tying Lafayette to the footboard, but she is only halfway done when Mr. Audubon returns. Celeste hides and watches as the frustrated artist struggles to capture the osprey in his drawings. He stamps his feet, throws his pencils, and fumes, “There is no life in this portrait!” (262). After Audubon storms from the room, Celeste examines his sketches and hatches a plan.

Celeste asks Lafayette to trust her and explains that he needs to help Mr. Audubon find inspiration if he wants to stay alive. She coaches him into a daring and lively pose with his beak open and his wings outstretched. When Mr. Audubon returns, he gasps, “Le beau spécimen! You are magnificent!” (271). He quickly sketches and paints the majestic osprey. Satisfied with his work, Audubon thanks his feathery muse and falls asleep. Celeste shares a smile with the surprised Lafayette.

While the artist sleeps, Celeste chews the rest of the way through the leather strap tying Lafayette to the bed. The overjoyed osprey vows to repay her if he can ever be of service. She asks him to visit her, and he replies, “I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on you [...] But it may be a while before I come for a visit. It’s a dangerous world out there” (278). Lafayette flies away.