The Bird and the Seed

THE HERBARIUM SITE OF POWERThe Birds and the Seed
A DRUIDIC FABLE
One quiet Spring afternoon, all the birds of the holt received an invitation. The Horse had uncovered the Seed of True Beauty and wished to share it with one of them. Each bird was to present itself at the Horse's door and attempt to win his approval. If the Horse approved, the door would open, and the seed, along with its true beauty, would be theirs.
The Magpie was the first bird to try the door. She proclaimed, 'I am intelligent and a quick thinker. If anyone deserves true beauty, it is I!'
But the Magpie was careless in her attempts. She tapped and screeched, pleading for entrance. When none came, she sought unconventional entry through a small hole in the wood, but found herself stuck. Though she wriggled and cawed, she could not pull free.
The door remained shut.
----
Then, along came the Owl. Seeing the trapped Magpie, he guffawed,
'This fate will not befall such as I, for I am wise and studious, and I know the inner workings of doors.'
He studied the door, then clawed at the handle, but the door was locked.
'No matter', declared the Owl, 'for I know the inner workings of locks. If anyone deserves true beauty, it is I!'
But the Owl was too short-sighted in his attempts. He inserted a claw into the lock only to find it stuck. Though he struggled and flapped his wings, he could not pull free.
The door remained shut.
----
Then, along came the Falcon. Seeing the fate of the Magpie and Owl, he stood tall and proud and declared, 'This fate will not befall such as I, for I contain a great power. I have lived among the horses. I know their ways and their language. If anyone deserves true beauty, it is I!'
But the Falcon was too proud in his attempts. Though he spoke the Horse's language, his words were disrespectful and filled with hubris.
He spoke as a foal that did not know his place.
After hours of haughty prattle, the Falcon did not convince the Horse but rather himself that he had already obtained true beauty. Believing himself better than the seed, he locked himself inside a chest to keep the treasure of his beauty for himself.
The door remained shut.
----
At dusk, the Nightingale arrived with a pot and soil for the little seed.
Seeing the state of the Magpie, Owl and Falcon, she put aside her pot and exclaimed, 'This fate should not have befallen such as you, for no creature deserves captivity. If anyone will free you, it is I!'
The Nightingale, though simple and small, freed her kin.
The door opened.
"Ha!' screeched the Magpie. 'I knew it was I who deserved the seed.'
'Nonsense!' argued the Owl. 'It is I who deserves it.?
Nay, I!' proclaimed the Falcon.
The Horse stepped forward. 'The seed belongs to the Nightingale, for she treasures all life above her own.'
As the others flew away in shame, the Nightingale planted the seed. To this day, she nurtures its beauty with songs and shares it with all who will listen.
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