I hope you are all well! If anyone knows the source of this story and is willing to share it with me, I would be so grateful!
The story appears in an anonymous ms., MS. Douce 134, dated c. 1460 held at the Bodleian, entitled The Livre de la vigne nostre Seigneur . The story tells of a monk who wondered how there could be joy without trouble in Heaven. He often prayed to God to show him a little of the sweetness of Paradise. One day as he was praying he heard the beautiful singing of a bird in the woods. He followed the bird and stayed in the forest for 26 years listening to the bird. The bird was singing these words: "May
man do good as long as he is alive because great is the joy of Paradise.” When the bird flew away the monk, who thought he had been away only a few hours, returned to the convent and no one knew him. When he named the Abbot who was of his time they looked in the books and found he was alive 26 years ago.
There are stories of talking birds who say ominous things in bestiaries, and birds who offer messages from, God in the Bible, but I don’t know the source of any stories quite like this. Any suggestions
would be most welcome.
Thanks and be well!
