JAKARTA - A Oklahoma boy named Samuel Henderson surprised his classmates with his unique abilities. He can imitate about 50 birds perfectly.
"Some people say that I swallow birds," said Henderson, who is autistic and has Tourette syndrome to CBS News quoted Friday, April 5.
Henderson is 11 years old from Choctaw, Oklahoma. He admits the most difficult birds to emulate are swallows, but he can imitate anything from blue jay birds and lulled titmouses to robins.
Because Henderson mostly practiced his call alone in playgrounds along the back fence, many children at his school never heard of his outstanding skills.
However, when Nicoma Park's 2024 secondary school talent show all changed.
Henderson really wanted to compete, but no student from extraordinary education has ever participated. The talent show consists mostly of singing, dancing, and band instruments.
His mother, Lori Henderson, was very nervous.
"Because some children can be evil," Lori said. "...it would only break my heart if that happened."
But Lori said her teacher convinced her that Samuel needed to spread his wings. So, he went on stage. At first, other kids didn't know what to think.
"It really sounds like there's a bird in the building," said a student.
But as he continued and expressed his desire, his jaw was relaxed. The crowd became alive. And Samuel was not only accepted, he was also admired.
"He's brave, he's very brave. It takes a lot of courage to bring yourself there," added another student.
"Children are looking for it," said Lori. "I am very happy to see him make his dream come true. My heart just exploded."
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It's been almost a year since that talent show, and Samuel is now shaking the playground, teaching his classmates how to deal with it.
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