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Three Fellows

Fiction by Kevin J. O'Reilly

November 2003

Once, long ago before people walked the earth there was a story among the animals and the birds about something that sung through the night. None had heard it themselves but many knew others that said they knew of those that had. None of them knew what it was and many said it was a monster lulling the unwary to a gory death.

Badger thought this unlikely but often kept his opinions to himself. Owl told him that it surely is a bird as he had it on good authority from migrating birds that it sounded sweet and melodious in a birdlike way. But no one knew and none had heard it though some bragged that they had.

One calm day there was a flurry of activity in the morning as the birds and the animals fed and bedded down. Dunnock's joined sparrows in flocks and collected deep inside bushes. Squirrel's hid deep inside trees and foxes, badgers and rabbits all burrowed in. A great storm was coming and even though it was beautiful sunny morning, the birds and animals were all tuned to Grandmother Nature's whiles.

And suddenly the clouds collected menacingly and a great wind blew forth, cold and threatening. Some young rabbits had been caught unawares in a field, their tails bobbed in frantic warning as they ran this way and that in fear, trying to find sanctuary. And then came the rain.

Cold and scathing, it blurred the landscape in severe fury. Lightening cracked the tingling air and thunder rolled so heavy that Buffalo peeked up as he huddled under some trees with the herd and the smell of fear blended to the smell of the terrified herds' defecation.

All evening and through most of the night it vented its anger on the world and many did not survive its savage fury. The peace that followed in the darkness sneaked upon the world and it was some time before many noticed as they bunkered down.

And then they became aware of a beauteous song, one they had never heard the like of before. Lulling yet lifting, a reminder that life survives even in the darkness. But none could see where the song came from.

Most thought to wait patiently until the daylight to see but the singing stopped. It was very frustrating but much chatting and gossip passed forth during the day about the mysterious singing after the storm. And that night it happened again - now some even grumbled about disturbed sleep!

Badger called a council and owl brought the birds along but no one could answer the questions. Finally owl called in a cousin whom was given a mission to source the singing. Many shouted warnings about monsters but Barn Owl had perfect eyes to see at night and better ears to sense with and felt safe. He knew that he could not be careless though. A time was set to meet the following morning and everyone collected in Oak Grove but one was missing, Barn Owl!

Much gossip and speculation was said as meeting time came and went until Badger sensed he must start the meeting to maintain order. Talk varied on monsters, danger, poor Barn Owl etc. but only extreme ideas were shouted forth and nothing was being achieved. It was then that a fearful scattering at the edges of the Grove caught the speaker's attention.

It wasn't a monster though, just Barn Owl swooshing in with the silent wisping of his kind that had startled nervious starlings that had been quarrelling over everything and caught unawares.

Oak Grove was almost silent except for the gentle creaking of the ancient oaks watching the event. Barn Owl settled with Badger and Owl and apologised for being late. Badger, calm as ever, hid his relief as he welcomed Barn Owl from the fallen trunk that he was using as a podium.

He explained how he had spent most of the night trying to get close to the source of the singing as the singer was obviously shy and did not want to be found. He had almost surrendered to failure when he got a break.

Finally Barn Owl had discovered a bird much smaller than himself that sung so sweetly. The bird told Barn Owl that he had been trapped in the storm as the tree in which he had hidden was ripped up and blown about. The bird had been very frightened and had been carried very, very far to this land that he did not know before the storm waned and he had escaped its clutches. But he was lost and could never return home.

Barn Owl explained that he tried to get the bird to attend the council but the bird was very frightened and shy and would not come. Many relieved onlookers listened intently. Owl asked if the bird had a name but Barn Owl said it did not.

Badger spoke and said that as the bird had blown in during the night in a gale that it should be called Nightingale from that day and all approved.

And so life returned to normal among all the birds and the animals and Nightingale sang melodiously but some still complained of disturbed sleep...

That is the story of how Nightingale came.

Inspired by Native North American History