This children’s storybook is a parable-legend set at  
Christmastime in an actual place in time—Independence, Kansas  
Riverside Park and Zoo.  The story transcends any geographical  
boundaries and is truly a universal story that can be read to  
children and read by children and adults.  The themes that are woven  
through the book are the “common good,” sharing of gifts, charity  
toward others and a joining of hands to help radiate light into our  
world.  It is a storybook that speaks to the spirit that every human  
being has worth and that “everyone should be included in the dance of
life and truly present at it’s table. ”The animals in the story are 
bestowed with human  characteristics and personalities so as the 
readers can relate to them —a kind of “Narnia.”  Miss Lily, the pink 
swan and Old Cranberry, the elderly muscovy duck mentor are the two 
main characters.  Miss Lily  goes through a transformation from being
self-centered to serving the  other birds on Bird Island.  The last 
two pages of the book show the golden light of Heaven  
and the golden light from earth kiss.  At the same time, the  
children’s colorful birthday candles ignite and blaze from the  
sharing act.  Unity in the community, young and old, all races, one  
shared humanity.  This is the message of Miss Lily, the Crown and the  
Dance—Love wins…