Many winters ago, when the sun was full of youth and the moon’s heart yearned strong for its fiery lover an angel visited our lands. Its name was Humility and it carried with it a book upon which it wrote the names of the virtuous so that all who were virtuous may be known to it.
It wandered across the land searching for creatures both great and small. It wandered to a forest where it first came upon a young buck. The buck saw the holy creature and bowed, crying out ‘Oh Angel so bright, I must have your help, for my antlers grow short and my grass is dry. Please divine messenger grant me reprieve from this suffering.’
But Humility grew displeased for the buck knew not of its arrogance. How could this buck be so closed minded! It’s only sought desire and not virtue. And so Humility cursed this arrogant buck. In a tone that sounded like the wrathful tide it said ‘Arrogant creature, you are selfish and naive. I shall tear your name from the pages of this book and you shall be cursed, forever hunted and never truly safe.’ And so the buck wept.
Next Humility came upon a river and on the bank there sat a chicken. The creature shuffled towards the Angel and clucked out a desperate plea. ‘Oh mighty Angel I have heard talk of your kind gracing our lands. My wings pale to the other birds and I ne’r fly so high as them. I beg you, grant me the most elegant and glorious wings in all the land.’ And once again Humility grew displeased for this creature wallowed in its jealousy. He cursed the vain poultry. ‘Foolish, jealous creature, do you only care about your small differences. You are truly vain. I shall tear your name from my book and may you be cursed to never fly in the Azure again.
Finally, Humility looked up toward an oak that reached towards the painted night. Upon it rested a young robin. The creature flew down and said to the Angel, ‘Oh wondrous being of light, forgive me for my greed. I rise early in the morning to get the finest worms. I am truly sorry for my failings.’ And the Angel knew repentance was written upon this creatures heart so it said in a voice like the rain falling around a warm nest, ‘You are truly repentant and your heart burns with sorrow. Your name shall be on every page of my book and all shall see your humility. May your chest burn bright with virtue.’
And so the Angel departed from our lands. Though none saw him again the Robin still sings his story.