IN LEGEND AND FABLE 55 



Little bat, little bat, come to me, I pray. 

 And from out my eye, take this thorn away." 



But the bat flew off, pretending that he did 

 not understand. Then a swallow flew about 

 the cross. Jesus called to her : — 



" Little swallow, little swallow, come to me, I pray, 

 And from out my eye, take this thorn away." 



And the swallow hurried to the cross, searched 

 and searched with her bill for the head of the 

 thorn, found it, and pulled it out. 

 One drop of blood spattered 



the breast 



of the dear 



little bird, as 



Jesus with a sigh of relief looked 



upon her as she gently moved away. 



Then Jesus said to her : " May you be 

 blessed, little swallow ! From this time on, 

 no one shall do you harm. You shall build 

 your nest secure under the roof of man. To 

 him you shall be of good omen. You shall 

 announce with your song the hour for him 



