Chapter XVIII. Of the birds he fed, and how one of them perished through greed

47. One day blessed Francis was sitting at table with the brethren, when two little birds, cock and hen, came up, eager about the bringing-up of their new-born chicks, and took away crumbs as they liked from the holy man's table. So they did every day afterwards. The holy man, who took pleasure in such creatures, made them welcome (as he was wont), and offered them grain [which he had got] on purpose. One day the father and mother offered their chicks to the brethren, as having been reared at their cost; and having made them over, did not appear in that place any more. The young birds became very familiar with the brethren; they would sit on their hands, and dwelt in the house, not as guests but as if they were at home. They shunned the sight of lay-folk, and professed themselves nurslings of the brethren only.

The Saint observed this with astonishment, and invited the brethren to rejoice: "Look," said he, "at what our brothers the redbreasts have done: just as if they were gifted with reason! For they have said: ' See, brothers, we present you with our chicks who have been fed with your crumbs: do with them what you will. We betake ourselves to another home.' "So the little birds made themselves quite at home with the brethren, and took their food peaceably. But greed broke up their concord, for the biggest got uplifted and persecuted the smaller ones; for when he had eaten as much as he wanted, he drove the rest away from the food. "See," said S. Francis, "what this greedy bird is doing. Though full and satisfied himself, he grudges against his hungry brothers: he will come to a bad end yet! "The punishment followed instantly on the words of the Saint. The disturber of his brethren went up on a vessel of water to drink, and immediately fell in and was drowned; nor was any cat or other beast found who durst touch the creature cursed by the Saint. Horrible indeed is greed in men when it is thus punished in birds! Moreover the sentence of the Saints should be feared, when punishment follows so close upon it.