Chapter CXXVI. Of the little bird that rested in his hands

167. When Francis was crossing the lake of Rieti in a little boat on his way to the hermitage of Greccio, a fisherman presented him with a waterfowl, that he might rejoice over it in the Lord. The blessed father received the bird with joy, and then, opening his hands, gently invited it freely to fly away. The bird would not depart, but rested in his hands as in a little nest, and the Saint remained with his eyes lifted up in prayer. Then, after a long delay, as though coming back to himself from elsewhere, he sweetly told the bird to return without fear to its former liberty. And so, on receiving this permission, with the holy man's blessing, the bird showed its joy by some motion of its body, and flew away.