School: Gort na Carraige (Rockfield) (roll number 9009)

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1. Bird-Lore (continued)

   

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   as he spoke an angel appeared to him and told him that St. Molua was dead. The priest knew then that the bird knew what had happened and was mourning for the saint.

   I heard another legend about a robin. In a far away land the people had no matches and had only one fire which a man and a boy used to keep lighted. One night the boy had to mind the fire himself. During the night he fell asleep. While he was asleep a polar bear came along. The fire attracted his attention. He went over to it and rolled over and over on it until the fire was quenched. Then, with a grunt he shambled off. When he was gone a little robin, which had been watching the proceedings hopped over to the fire. He saw only one spark in the fire. It began to flap its wings and soon the fire began to kindle. The robin became so exhausted that it fell forward on its breast. Its breast began to burn and the feathers turned red. Ever after the robins had red breasts.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. agents (~1)
      1. animal-lore (~1,185)
         1. bird-lore (~2,478)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Marty Keegan

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Templenew, Co. Donegal

   Informant

   Pat Mulhern

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   c. 68

   Address

   Lissacholly, Co. Donegal