In the narrative recounted, the author reflects on a childhood memory of her older brother struggling with a daunting writing assignment about birds. Faced with the pressure of an impending deadline and feeling overwhelmed, he sat at the kitchen table at their family cabin, unable to make progress. This moment illustrates the paralysis that can come with large tasks when they feel insurmountable.

Then, the father intervenes with a simple yet profound piece of advice: to break the task into manageable parts, encapsulated in the phrase "bird by bird." This advice not only addresses the immediate challenge of writing but also serves as a broader life lesson, emphasizing the importance of taking small steps when facing overwhelming obstacles.