The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson was first published in 1968. It tells the story of Plop, a young barn owl who is afraid of the dark — an enormous problem for a bird that must hunt at night to survive.
Plop is a young barn owl who lives with his parents in an old barn at the edge of a field. He is described as ‘fat, fluffy and still in his first coat of down’ — very young and very uncertain. His parents are skilled, confident night hunters, and they want Plop to begin learning to hunt. But Plop is afraid of the dark. He sits at the edge of the barn and refuses to fly off into the night.
Plop’s mother takes a wise and patient approach. Rather than telling Plop he is wrong to be afraid, or forcing him to go out in the dark, she sends him down to ask different people what they think about the dark. ‘Go and find out,’ she says. Each chapter involves Plop meeting a new person and learning something new.
A boy tells Plop that the dark is exciting — he is waiting to watch badgers emerge from their sett.
An old woman knitting alone tells Plop that the dark is kind — it softens harsh faces and makes everyone look gentle.
A girl at a Bonfire Night celebration tells Plop that the dark is fun — fireworks only work against darkness.
An old man watching badgers (a different encounter from the boy’s) tells Plop that the dark is necessary — without it, nocturnal animals could not live their lives.
A young woman with a baby tells Plop that the dark is fascinating — she points to the stars and moon, which can only be seen in darkness.
A clown tells Plop that the dark is wonderful — because all the magic of theatre (spotlights, stage lighting, the illusion of performance) only works against darkness.
After collecting six different and positive views of the dark, Plop is ready. He launches himself from the barn into the dark night, flies, and catches his first mouse. His fear of the dark is transformed into confident action. He has not been forced or tricked — he has been persuaded, through his own curiosity and the help of others.
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