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Why the Whales Came is a children's story written by Michael Morpurgo and first published by William Heinemann in 1985. It is set on the island of Bryher, one of the Isles of Scilly, in the year 1914. "You keep away from the Birdman", warned Gracie's father. But Gracie and her friend Daniel discover that the Birdman isn't mad or dangerous like everyone says. It's the Birdman who warns them to stay away from Samson Island – he says it's cursed. Gracie's father then joins the navy and goes to war. Gracie's mother falls ill and can't earn enough money to support the family. Gracie and Daniel decide to go fishing to earn money against Gracie's mother's wishes. Daniel and Gracie get stranded on Samson by fog they have to unravel the island's haunting secrets and help the birdman to keep the curse from crossing to Bryher. Soon after, Gracie comes home to learn of a tragic loss. Is it true? Is Samson really cursed?

- Gracie and Daniel, two young children, were warned not to go to Heathy Hill, Rushy Bay which is where the So called "evil" birdman lives and curses people. When one day a pair of swans land in their local pond, they cannot find anywhere to sail their boats, which was their...