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Robin Redbreast
Three Fellows

December 2003

Long ago there was a bird known as Robin Redbreast who lived in the far north of Alba. Robin heard tell of a King who gave so much to others and always respected the birds and the animals. This was a good King and his people prospered, it was said that his queen was the most beautiful of all the women in the holy isles.

She was said to have hair darker than Raven with eyes that sparkled like pools in the waterfall with skin paler than snow and rose red cheeks and the kindest of ways. Robin felt so much that he wanted to give the King and Queen a gift to celebrate the Yule but what could he offer he wondered. So he went to seek guidance from Owl in Oak Grove.

It had snowed overnight and folk in Alba had just celebrated Alban Arthan, today was the first day when the victory of light began to show itself and the celebration had lingered on but the heavy snow did not hinder Robin as he went to Oak Grove. Owl was sleeping so Robin waited patiently. Owl knew he was there but waited to see if Robin spoke but Robin waited quietly until his frustration made him fidget a little. Owl, content that Robin had been respectful said;

"What would Robin want here in Oak Grove I wonder?"

Robin startled and said "well Owl, I wanted to say a big thank you and express good wishes to the King and Queen but I don't know how". Owl eyed Robin sideways.

"Why not?" He asked the small bird.

Robin had not expected that and his mind went blank. He had expected Owl to offer wisdom. "I can't talk Gael" said Robin.

Owl scrutinized Robin.

"What can you do?" He asked.

"What?" asked a stunned Robin. This was not what he had expected.

"What can you do?" Reiterated Owl.

"Feed, fly, sing..." Owl cut him dead.

"Can you sing or do you just think you can sing?"

Robin's beak dropped open. "What? Of course I can sing. I'm renowned for my singing!"

"Calm down." Said Owl. "You can feed, fly or sing to the King and Queen. What do you think?" Robin paused and leaned slightly away to one side.

"Sing of course!" He answered.

"Then why are you here keeping me awake? It will be dark before you leave for the Dun at this rate." And Robin thanked Owl as he realised that Owl was indeed wise. He could have just told Robin what to do but he had inspired Robin to think his problem through.

So Robin flew off but he didn't want to turn up at the Dun with no idea what to sing so he perched on a branch to think. So excited was he that he could not keep still but his attention also waned.

Nearby was an old wild cat. This saved Robin as the old wild cat was not as supple as she was and depended more on guile than stealth to catch her prey.

"Good morning to you Robin, what are you about this brittle and cold morning?" Robin startled as he was caught unawares. His feathers tucked in tight as he assessed his danger. But then he recognised the old cat and felt more at ease.

"I am about to visit the King and Queen to sing them a Yuletide song." He answered.

"And a fine task that is my friend. Hop down and sing me a sample as I would be greatly honoured. You can be inspired by the fine spirals in my fur." Robin saw the glint in wild cat's eye.

"Ha!" said Robin, "you cannot trick me so easily cat. I saw you show your spirals to a mouse and then you ate him! I need to go to the King..." added Robin as he took to flight.

But Robin still had not prepared his song so he stopped on a fence to rest and collect his thoughts. He was still too absorbed in his thoughts to see danger as a hawk was sitting on a fence post.

Hawk could not believe his eyes and, afraid of frightening his meal away with a sudden move, he spoke softly to Robin.

"Fine morrow to you wee Robin, what are you about this cold and frosty morning!"

Robin started but collected himself and said "I am about to visit the King and Queen to sing them a Yuletide song".

"Such an honourable task is wonderful, I feel humbled to meet you. Come here and sing some of your song to me and I will show you the awesome green feather in my coat." said hawk but Robin saw the hunger in hawk's eye.

"Ha!" said Robin, "you cannot trick me so easily hawk. I saw you show your green feather to the wee birds before you ate them. I need to go to the King..." added Robin as he took to flight.

Robin flew hard and low until he was sure that hawk had not followed him and then he rested on a rock on a snowy hillside. He wanted to think but this time he took a cautious look around and jumped as he saw fox poking his head out of his den in the hillside. Fox was licking his lips but became disappointed when he realised that Robin had seen him so he tried to coax Robin.

"Hello Robin Redbreast and where are you going this snow covered day?"

"I am about to visit the King and Queen to sing them a Yuletide song." He answered.

"Well that is a fine thing" said fox "but you look tired. Stay and practice while I listen and help you. While you sing I'll show you the black tip to my lush tail."

"Ha!" said Robin, "you cannot trick me so easily fox. I saw you show your tail to a wee lamb before you ate it. I need to go to the King..." added Robin as he took to flight.

So Robin flew and flew and still he was not sure what to sing so he stopped to rest on the handle of a garden fork. A rosy-cheeked boy sat on a log eating bread and butter.

"Good day to you Robin" said the boy. "You look very busy today, what are you about this cold frosty morning?" Robin did not understand the boy but correctly guessed his words.

"I am about to visit the King and Queen to sing them a Yuletide song." Robin was tiring of answering the same question. The boy did not understand Robin either but tried to gain his confidence.

"Well settle here" said the boy scattering some crumbs on the log beside him "and take a little to eat then you can sing your melody for me."

"Ha!" said Robin, "you cannot trick me so easily boy. I saw you share some crumbs with Goldfinch before you captured him! I won’t live in your tiny cage. I need to go to the King..." added Robin as he took to flight.

And so Robin decided to fly straight to the Dun and not allow any more distractions. When he arrived he still did not know what to sing and he settled on a post near to the Kings roundhouse. Just then the Queen stepped outside. She was laughing at something and looking back into the hut. Her laughter tinkled like a sparkling waterfall and Robin was awe struck. Immediately behind the Queen the King exited the roundhouse. His smile was kindly and relaxed.

Robin closed his eyes and drew deliberate deep breaths. A song came straight into his head and suddenly he sang like never before and the joy of the season bellowed forth attracting the attention of the Royal couple.

They were enraptured with Robin's song, so much so that they wondered what they could do to reward Robin. The Queen smiled like golden sun and the King called for his adviser.

Robin was startled and felt shy when he heard the King. He didn't feel afraid though but was stunned into silence and then, unsure what to do in the Royal presence, he bowed. And he bowed and he bowed and to this day Robin bobs and bows on his perch in memory of this day.

The Kings adviser told him of a tiny bird called Jenny Wren. She lived around the Dun and the adviser thought that Wren and Robin could compliment each other in song and friendship so the two became friends and sang wonderful Yuletide songs and every Yule they entertained the King and Queen from that day on.

Retold by Kevin J. O'Reilly