Saint Peter stopped at the foot of the tree and said, “I wish you a good day, Thrush!”

“I have no time to thank you,” chirped the Thrush pertly.

“Why not, pretty Thrush?” asked Saint Peter in surprise.  “You have all the time in the world and nothing to do but sing.”

“You mistake,” cried the Thrush.  “I am making the summer!  It is I, I, I who make the green grass grow and the flowers bud.  Look, how even now the world is growing beautiful in answer to my song.”  And the conceited little bird continued to warble as hard as he could,—­

    “To-day I shall marry, I and no other! 
    To-morrow my brother.”

Christ and Saint Peter looked at each other and smiled, then went upon their way without another word, leaving the Thrush to continue his task of making the summer.

This was in the morning.  But before midday the clouds gathered and the sky darkened, and at noon a cold rain began to drip.  The poor Thrush ceased his jubilant song and began to shiver in the March wind.  By night the snow was felling thick and fast, and where there had been a green carpet on the earth was now spread a coverlet of snowy white.  Shivering and like to die of cold the Thrush took refuge under the tree in the moss and dead leaves.  He thought no more of his marriage, nor of his brother’s, but only of the danger which threatened him, and of the discomfort.

The next morning Christ and Saint Peter, plodding through the snow-drifts, came upon him again, and Saint Peter said as before, “I wish you good day, Thrush.”

“Thank you,” answered the Thrush humbly, and his voice was shaky with cold and sorrow.

“What do you here on the cold ground, O Thrush-who-make-the-summer, and why are you so sad?” asked Saint Peter.  And the Thrush piped feebly,—­

    “To-day I must die, I and no other! 
    To-morrow my brother.”

“O foolish little bird,” said Saint Peter.  “You boasted that you made the summer.  But see!  The Lord’s will has sent us back to the middle of winter, to punish your boasting.  You shall not die, he will send the sun again to warm you.  But hereafter beware how you take too much credit for your little efforts.”

Since that time March has ever been a treacherous and a changeful month.  Then the Thrush thinks not of marriage, but of his lesson learned in past days, and wraps himself in his warmest feathers, waiting for the Lord’s will to be done.  He is no longer boastful in his song, but sings it humbly and sweetly to the Lord’s glory, thanking him for the summer which his goodness sends every year to happy bird and beast and child of man.

* * * * *

Now after this adventure with the Thrush, Christ and Saint Peter went upon their journey for many miles.  At last, weary and hungry, they passed a Baker’s shop.  From the window came the smell of new warm bread baking in the oven, and Christ sent Saint Peter to ask the Baker for a loaf.  But the Baker, who was a stingy fellow, refused.