Saint Francis Preaches To The Birds

Once near Bevagna inthe Spoleto valley St. Francis saw a large flock of birds of various kinds. There were doves and crows, and those popularly called daws. Now Francis was always fervent toward creatures and showed them great tenderness, so as soon as he saw these birds, he left his companions and ran eagerly to the birds. And when he got close to them, he greeted them in his usual way. They seemed to be waiting for him; they didn't fly away as he expected them to. And so, filled with joy, he begged them to listen to the word of God. Among other things, he said to the birds: "My Brother Birds, you should always praise your Creator and love him. He covered you with feathers and gave you wings to fly and granted you a kingdom of pure air. He cares for you, too, without any worry on your part, though you neither sow nor reap."

At these words, as Francis and his companions later reported, the birds acknowledged his words in a wonderful fashion. They stretched out their necks and flapped their wings, and gazed at him with their beaks open. And St. Francis walked among them in fervor and spirit, brushing their heads and bodies with his tunic, and not one of them moved until he made the sign of the cross over them and gave them permission to fly away. And Francis and his companions went on their way, as well, praising and thanking God whom all creatures venerate and humly acknowledge.

Celano
First Life - 58

St. Bonaventure
Major Life - 12:3