That Quail, Robert summary

Synopsis of That Quail, Robert by Margaret Stanger

That Quail, Robert is a heartwarming and true story first published in 1966 that chronicles the adventures of a tiny quail who becomes an unexpected but beloved member of a Cape Cod family. Written by Margaret Stanger, with illustrations by Cathy Baldwin, the book captures the charm, intelligence, and personality of a small bird who defies expectations and leaves a lasting impact on everyone who encounters him.

The story begins when, in July 1962, the Kienzles, a retired couple living in Orleans, Massachusetts, discover a quail egg on their property. With no mother bird in sight, they decide to incubate the egg themselves. To their delight, the egg hatches, and a tiny Northern Bobwhite quail emerges. The bird, affectionately named Robert, quickly becomes an integral part of their household. Interestingly, despite the name, Robert is later discovered to be a female quail when she lays an egg, but the name sticks.

From the start, Robert proves to be an extraordinary bird with a vibrant personality. Instead of behaving like a wild bird, Robert thrives as a domestic companion. She forms close bonds with the Kienzle family and their friends, including the book's author, Margaret Stanger, who cares for Robert for 96 days while the Kienzles vacation in Europe. Robert demonstrates affection, curiosity, and a remarkable intelligence that surprises everyone. She develops a unique routine, learning to recognize human speech, reacting to daily activities, and even adjusting her habits to fit the rhythm of the household.



One of the most amusing aspects of the book is Robert’s ability to create a place for herself within the family’s home. She sleeps in a basket, helps "supervise" meals, and even participates in social events. Robert becomes somewhat of a local celebrity, as visitors are captivated by her charming antics and unusual companionship with humans. Her independence and occasional mischief, combined with her affection and loyalty, endear her to everyone who crosses her path.

Throughout the narrative, Stanger conveys a deep sense of appreciation for Robert’s intelligence and individuality. The book also offers a glimpse into the natural world, showcasing the beauty and wonder of wildlife. Robert's interactions with the Kienzle family and their neighbors reflect a profound connection between humans and animals, highlighting the special bonds that can form across species.

As Robert grows older, her antics continue to amuse and amaze, but the book gently touches on themes of aging and loss, as well. The ending is bittersweet, as Robert's health eventually declines. She passes away in her sleep in December 1965. Nevertheless, her legacy as a beloved and extraordinary quail lives on, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the family and their community.

Margaret Stanger’s That Quail, Robert is more than just a story about a pet; it’s a celebration of life’s small miracles and the joy that can come from unexpected friendships. Written with warmth, humor, and tenderness, the book has become a classic, loved by readers for its portrayal of the simple yet profound relationship between a bird and a family. Through the eyes of Robert, readers are invited to explore the beauty of nature and the deep connections that can exist between humans and animals, no matter how unlikely the circumstances.

The Minimalists

I often don't have time to read many books fully from cover to cover these days. But one book that I just wrapped up (that I started reading back in August!), titled, Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works, has had a profound impact on my life. I highly recommend it to others.

Written by childhood friends and business partners Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, whom, as a pair, are known as The Minimalists, I bought the book from my local Target store for reading material on my flights to and from Key West this past August. The book had just recently come out a month earlier, back in mid-July 2021. The Minimalists had written a few books before this one, which I have yet to explore. What prompted me to pick this one up, though, was discovering their 2016 documentary, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, on Netflix. A few days ago, I just watched their most recent film (2021), also available on Netflix, titled, The Minimalists: Less Is Now. I highly recommend both of these documentaries. Very powerful and moving.

In Love People, Use Things, the duo reflect on how reducing all the clutter and noise in our lives - all the junk gathering dust in our closets, basements, and storage units; all the clothes we never seem to get around to wearing; the long hours we're putting in at work and the mounds of debt we're accumulating just to keep up appearances and look "successful" to all our friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even our own family members (The "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality), etc., etc. - can help us live more fulfilling, meaningful, productive lives. By committing to a simpler lifestyle and only holding onto the possessions that truly bring us joy or add value to our lives, we are free to devote more of our energy, time, talents, and other resources to the things that really do matter in life - to hobbies and creative endeavors that bring us joy; to the relationships in our lives; to giving back to others; to making memories through unforgettable experiences. Consuming less liberates us to be able to create more.

The pair reminisce on how they spent their 20s climbing the corporate ladder - at the same company but in different roles and departments - while raking in the dough and owning anything and everything they wanted, only to arrive at the realization that they weren't happy. Both of them grew up poor and in not the best of home/family circumstances, and this is what gave them the drive to push harder and harder for "success." In the end, though, it was all in vain. All they ended up with was the accumulation of stuff, massive credit card debt from acquiring said stuff, and a feeling of emptiness. As Millburn describes it, he was living the American Dream, but it wasn't his dream. In the same month, Millburn lost both his mom (to cancer) and his marriage. It was then that he realized something had to change. He was the first of the duo to stumble upon the philosophy of minimalism, and would later introduce it to childhood friend Nicodemus. Nicodemus noticed his longtime pal seemed happier, and so he took him out to lunch one day at a Subway to get the scoop. The rest, as they say, is history.

You can learn more about Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, The Minimalists, at this Wikipedia page dedicated to them. Check out their main website and explore their blog, podcast, and other creative works at TheMinimalists.com.