Chapter CXXX. Of the cicala

171. Near the cell of the Saint of God at Portiuncula a cicala used to perch on a fig-tree, singing sweetly. Sometimes the blessed father would hold out his hand to her, and call her kindly to him, saying, "My sister cicala, come to me," and she immediately came up on his hand, as though endowed with reason. Then he said to her: "Sing, my sister cicala, and praise the Lord thy Creator with a joyful song". And without delay she began obediently to sing, and ceased not until the man of God mingled his own praise with her songs, and bade her fly back to her accustomed place, where she remained for eight days in succession, as if bound. When the Saint came down from his cell he always touched her with his hands, and bade her sing, and she was always eager to do his bidding. Then he said to his companions:

"Let us give our sister cicala leave to depart, for she has now gladdened us enough with her praise; that our flesh may not have occasion for vainglory by such things". And forthwith the cicala dismissed by him went away, and never appeared there again. Seeing all this the brethren wondered greatly.