CULPEPER, Va., Sept. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- When the challenges of leaving home and family to discover one's own destiny are met with fear of the unknown, author Curt Farley reminds parents and teachers to encourage today's youngsters to take life as it comes, but don't accept failure. His new book, "Feathers and the Golden Spruce Tree" (now available through AuthorHouse), teaches readers that no one ever got to the top of the mountain in one giant leap.
Feathers is a bluebird with an appetite for seeds and for flying adventures. When a cold winter's wind full of sleet and ice flings him unexpectedly into the Forbidden Forest, he faces the unknown, and perhaps even death. Feathers is a responsible, dedicated family bird full of morals and purpose. As they follow along with his misfortunes in the forest, readers realize the clever way in which Farley weaves this tale of ethics and principles.
The Golden Spruce Tree Seed has a purpose also. He tries to dig his roots into the ground to make him the tallest tree in the forest and to make his parents proud. He understands that he is facing death head-on. The words of his parents, "You are not dead until you rot!" haunt him and the young tree seed focuses on the fact that he needs heat and sunlight to fulfill his dreams of touching the clouds and the top of the sky and that a tree and family without roots is nothing. Time is running out.
How these two dissimilar personalities challenge each other in the midst of mean, crooked trees, raging rivers, slicing knives, and enemies eager to see them on the dinner plate gives parents a vehicle through which to teach the lessons of patience. "The bumps in the road are only meant as impediments if the traveler falls," writes Farley. "There is always hope in the next day's sunrise if we lead our lives in a good way. Roots and family are the most important goals (the tree seed) has in order to accomplish his dreams of the clouds and the sky. That is what this book for young people is all about -- family, responsibility, heritage, focus, dreams, goals, and patience."
Farley is a retired Air Force pilot and commercial airline captain. He has more than 58 years of flying experience totaling 36,000 hours in the air and has visited many parts of the world. He completed 125 combat missions in Vietnam and spent 32 years with one of the world's largest airlines. He currently owns three vintage jet fighters and is now president and CEO of www.jetexecutiveworldwide.com, a corporate Boeing 727 company for the elite. "Feathers and the Golden Spruce Tree" is his first book, with many more slated to follow.
ABOUT AUTHORHOUSE
AuthorHouse is the world leader in publishing and print-on-demand services. Founded in 1997, AuthorHouse has helped more than 18,500 people worldwide become published authors. For more information, visit www.authorhouse.com.