In a small quaint village lived an old witch named Agatha. She was known throughout the land for her magical powers and quirky personality. Agatha's cottage was nestled deep in the woods, surrounded by tall, ancient trees. One day, while Agatha was tending to her herb garden, she spotted a peculiar sight - a polka dot robin. The robin's feathers were adorned with vibrant polka dots in various colors. Agatha had never seen such a bird before and was instantly intrigued.
"When I put on the Cosmo mask, I've been taken up by fans in the football stadium and crowdsurfed against my will," he said. "This same community, this religious LDS Christian community that loved Cosmo and loved me when I was Cosmo, was the same that was creating -- whether intentionally or not -- this environment that made me feel defective."
But behind the mask, Bird felt alone at a school that was once named by the Princeton Review as one of the most LGBTQ unfriendly universities in the nation. Cosmo, I ve told you a dozen times You can t have contact with cheerleaders from other schools until they have entered the transfer portal, tweeted Holmoe.
Agatha had never seen such a bird before and was instantly intrigued. She couldn't resist following the robin as it fluttered from tree to tree, singing a delightful melody. As Agatha followed the robin, she found herself in a clearing filled with colorful wildflowers.
College mascot unmasked
You may remember seeing a viral video of Brigham Young University's mascot Cosmo the Cougar dancing with its cheerleaders, the Cougarettes. Now we're seeing Charlie Bird, the man behind the mask.
"Masks had kind of become my thing throughout my BYU university experience," Bird said.
But now the man who once wore the iconic cougar suit is taking off the masks.
This week, Bird came out in an op-ed, revealing that while he was secretly Cosmo the Cougar, he was also grappling with another secret.
"I feel completely free right now," Bird told KTVX. "I don't have to lie to my roommates about why I'm not at the basketball game. And I also don't have to worry about what they might think of me if they found out I was gay."
Growing up in Missouri as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bird was taught that acting on his feelings was a sin.
That was reinforced at Brigham Young University, which has a strict honor code prohibiting premarital sex, especially homosexuality.
"Hiding made me in this constant state of, I think, almost paranoia," says Bird.
But Bird says the BYU community made him feel like a celebrity at the same time.
"When I put on the Cosmo mask, I've been taken up by fans in the football stadium and crowdsurfed against my will," he said. "This same community, this religious LDS Christian community that loved Cosmo and loved me when I was Cosmo, was the same that was creating -- whether intentionally or not -- this environment that made me feel defective."
Bird was wildly popular as Cosmo. That viral video has almost 5 million views.
But behind the mask, Bird felt alone at a school that was once named by the Princeton Review as one of the most LGBTQ unfriendly universities in the nation.
"I was doing it alone and and believing, honestly believing, that I was the only person like me," Bird said. But now, "I don't feel like I have to be either religious or gay, I feel like I'm Charlie and I'm religious and I'm also gay."
While he gives credit to BYU for making big strides in outreach for gay students, Bird also says there are still gay church members and gay students who feel alone.
"I feel like there's a lot of misunderstanding surrounding this topic and there's a lot of people who feel isolated and alone," he said.
But for Bird, it's time to rise and shout that this cougar is out.
While he gives credit to BYU for making big strides in outreach for gay students, Bird also says there are still gay church members and gay students who feel alone.
The robin perched on a branch, its polka dot feathers blending with the vibrant blooms. Agatha could hardly contain her excitement. She believed that the polka dot robin must possess some extraordinary enchantment. The old witch cautiously approached the robin, afraid of frightening it away. To her surprise, the bird hopped closer towards her. Agatha extended her hand, and the robin delicately perched on her finger. Its gentle touch sent a tingling sensation throughout her body. In that moment, Agatha realized that the polka dot robin was a symbol of luck and good fortune. With every flap of its wings, it brought blessings to those in its presence. Agatha couldn't contain her joy and gratitude. She knew that the polka dot robin had chosen her as its companion. From that day forward, the old witch and the polka dot robin became inseparable. They traveled together, spreading luck and happiness wherever they went. Villagers sought Agatha's wisdom and blessings, believing that the polka dot robin had bestowed its magic upon her. Agatha used her newfound powers for the good of the village, resolving conflicts and healing the sick. She became revered as a guardian of hope and happiness. The polka dot robin, always perched on her shoulder, became a symbol of the old witch's power and benevolence. Years passed, and Agatha and the polka dot robin continued their adventures. The villagers cherished their presence, and the old witch's name became synonymous with miracles. Agatha's cottage became a place of pilgrimage, where people sought solace and guidance. The old witch and the polka dot robin showed the world that true magic lies within kindness and love. Their legacy lived on even after their earthly journey ended, inspiring generations to find the magic within themselves and spread it to others. The tale of the old witch and the polka dot robin became a timeless legend, reminding everyone that even the most peculiar and unexpected things can hold extraordinary magic..
Reviews for "The Old Witch and the Polka Dot Robbin: a Classic Tale Reimagined"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't stand "Old Witch and the Polka Dot Robbin". The story was completely lacking in any depth or substance. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot felt contrived and forced. The writing itself was also subpar, with awkward and clunky sentences. Overall, I found the book to be a complete disappointment and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Michael - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Old Witch and the Polka Dot Robbin" based on the positive reviews it received, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The story seemed to drag on, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the humor fell flat and didn't elicit any genuine laughs. The overall execution of the book felt lacking, and I was left with a sense of disappointment after finishing it.
3. Emily - 1 star
"Old Witch and the Polka Dot Robbin" was a complete letdown. The writing style was overly simplistic, and the plot was predictable from start to finish. The story lacked any real conflict or tension, making it a tedious read. I struggled to stay engaged with the narrative, and the characters were forgettable. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.