While there are many birds that visit our leafy garden, it’s the pair of bullfinches (灰雀) that bring the most excitement. It’s been wonderful to watch how both ___1___ shoulder the serious duty of caring for their young. Last summer the bullfinch family, parents and two babies, were happily sitting in a tree close to our back window and ___2___ the late afternoon sunshine.

With ___3___ sign, clouds appeared, and light rain began to fall. At first the birds seemed to enjoy the rain and moved out along the branch (树枝), shaking their feathers to take advantage of the wet weather. ___4___, day turned to night within minutes. Dark clouds brought a sudden heavy storm: thunder and lightning, wild winds and rain turned the garden into an ___5___ place for the little family.

Through the lightning, we watched in ___6___ as the parents guided their little ones back along the branch until they were all close to the tree trunk (树干), both parents spreading their ___7___ over their young to protect them from the storm. When the storm ___8___, the family walked slowly ___9___ out along the branch and spread their wings to take in the sunshine. When I look up at the pair who continue to visit our garden, I know I’m not just looking at ___10___ parents, but very wise ones.