How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I reached out to stop her because I thought she'd get hurt, but Agatha was already beyond my grasp. Wild pigeons are as big as crows. They fly fast and with much strength. They'll knock you off your feet and cause all sorts of damage.
Agatha, though, seemed to feel no fear. A current of pigeons flew low in the street before veering up over the roof of our store. Agatha ran toward this winged river, stopping short of collision by mere inches. Then she crouched down and edged underneath it. (2.17-18)
Wow. We like pigeons as much as the average person—because how much does the average person like pigeons, anyway?—but this seems to be taking it to a whole new level. You have to really love pigeons to want to stand under a flock of them, even with an umbrella, because those aren't raindrops falling on your head.
Quote #2
"The wise old man bowed and then rushed out of his lodge to tell the people. When he returned, the white pigeon was gone, except for one white feather that rested in the middle of the floor. The old man picked it up and studied it. As he did so, he saw another feather near a window ledge. He walked to that feather and picked it up, and saw a feather just outside. And so the wise old man walked from one feather to the next right out of his village. Feather by feather he picked out his path." (3.31)
Quote #3
Trying to guess the plans of wild pigeons is folly. The direction they go is their own business. Likewise, it's near impossible to know where they'll roost for the night, let alone build a nesting. Their movements defy theorizing and deducing (though fools persist). Pigeons come and go as they please. (6.1)
Hmm. It seems to us that trying to guess the plans of a certain determined older sister is also folly. Again we'd like to suggest you check out the "Symbols" section—we've got a bit to say about how the pigeons represent Agatha over there, and you just might find it relevant to this passage.