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Fiction by Kevin J. O'Reilly

July 2003

One day, long before people walked the earth there was a beautiful white bird whose role was to honour the Great Spirit of life by giving thanks to the Sun. But Whitebird as he was known did not know what to do or how to do it. He was afraid of making Sun angry in case Sun did not come again tomorrow. Great Spirit might be hard on Whitebird for failing.

Squirrel told Whitebird to fly upto Sun and say thank you for being there and Fox agreed, telling Whitebird he was no good honouring Sun if he could not fly high enough to speak to Sun. Badger thought this advice was bad and told Whitebird to fly to Oakwood Grove and ask Owl for advice and he would surely know what to do.

Whitebird was confused and felt a pressing need to act fast. Going to Oakwood Grove would bring derision from the animals who scoffed at Badger so Whitebird thought he should fly to Sun. Only a few of the gathering animals agreed with Badger and the noisiest ones backed Squirrel and Fox. Whitebird did not see that these other animals were just having sport at his expense, the loudest argument swayed Whitebird and he took off for his task.

Sun saw Whitebird coming and wondered at the strange event as Whitebird struggled to fly higher and higher and was having difficulty breathing. Sun thought Whitebird was silly and watched patiently from sky as Sun always did.

Whitebird felt hotter and hotter and shouted to Sun but Sun showed no sign of hearing Whitebird so he shouted louder and louder but still Sun did not seem to hear. Whitebird thought he was very near to Sun but was really very far away. Still he was getting so very hot. It became a struggle to fly so Whitebird stopped shouting to save his strength.

Whitebird's eyes were watering now and Sun seemed to dance in front of him. Whitebird got hotter and hotter until he could not stand the heat and thought that he could smell scorching. At last he could fly no more and fell towards earth.

Wind breathed on Whitebird and he shook himself and managed to fly again. He felt ashamed and cried at his failure. His tears stung his scorched eyes and he was confused.

Whitebird flew in a circle to get his bearings and as he flew around and around he felt strength and courage coming back to him. Still he did not want to face the other animals in the glade in case their words were cruel but the animals had seen Whitebird's bravery and fall and had felt ashamed.

Whitebird flew until a voice said to him "Go and seek the advice of the Owl of Oakwood Grove" and filled again with hope Whitebird set off on his quest.

Whitebird flew into the Grove and shouted to Owl "Help me Owl, help me please!". Owl looked at his visitor who had shown no decorum or respect and asked why should he help an ignorant stranger.

"I am no stranger Owl, it is I, Whitebird" answered Whitebird.

"Nonsense" said Owl, "You are a Blackbird and I do not know you!" for the heat had scorched Whitebird's beautiful feathers black and the rays had left rings of sunlight around his eyes and coloured his beak.

"What?" Whitebird knew Owl was not joking and felt sick but told Owl his adventure. Owl admonished Blackbird for not listening to Badger but felt admiration for Blackbird's dedication.

"How do you think I can help you?" asked Owl.

"You are wise great Owl, yet I do not know what to do".

"Surely you have been doing something" said Owl.

"Yes, I say thank you to Sun everyday when he rises and wish him well when he sinks from sky"

"That is admirable and I am sure that Sun is happy with you" Owl surmised.

"But I feel I could do more!" insisted Blackbird.

"What do you do all day?" asked Owl.

"I sing" said Blackbird "when I'm not feeding"

"Why?"

"Because singing makes me feel happy and makes my tasks a pleasure so I sing before, after and sometimes inbetween." Blackbird answered.

"Don't you enjoy giving honour to Sun?" Owl queried.

"Oh yes!" said Blackbird. "Well, sort of..."

"Sort of?"

"Hmm, you know... well I'm afraid of failing to give Sun honour as I don't know what to do and I may offend Sun. That's why I'm here."

Owl drew a deep breath and was quiet for a few minutes. Finally Owl said "Sun will be pleased with you as no other animal respects Sun as you do. I am sure Sun was disturbed by your valiant effort today." Then Owl looked at sad Blackbird and asked him:

"Have you looked into your heart for the answer?" and Blackbird was stunned.

"Me?" he answered, "I am not clever enough to know what to do."

"Think of our discussion, the answer is in your heart Blackbird". And Blackbird tried to ignore his puzzlement as he went over their discussion in his mind. Owl could see that Blackbird did not see the truth and said:

"Do you want to receive great pleasure as you give tribute to Sun?" Blackbird looked thoughtfully at Owl then his brow relaxed.

"Singing gives me great pleasure..." his words were thoughtful.

"Your singing gives pleasure to all".

"Sun?" asked Blackbird.

"I'm sure" Answered Owl.

"Then I will sing to honour Sun before dawn and I will sing thanks to Sun until dark at the end of day".

And that's why Blackbird is the only bird to sing at night except Nightingale.

Blackbird is a bird of the sunlight and the blackness of night and walks both worlds safely. Blackbird was the first Druid.

Great Spirit of all life was very pleased with Blackbird and as a special honour, rarely but now and then Blackbird has a Whitebird descendant. You will very lucky to see one. Whitebird still bears the rays of sunlight around his eyes and his beak is the golden colour of sunlight in honour of the sacrifice of the first Whitebird.

That is the story of how Blackbird came to be.

Inspired by Native North American History