A Bird from Paradise

Long ago, in a village nestled in the foothills of the Great Ararat – the legendary mountain where Noah’s Ark is said to lie hidden among ice and rock – there lived three boys: Vartan, Narek and Tabel. United by their Catholic Faith, they were inseparable friends.

One Sunday morning, they were playing near a woods when a noble and vibrant sound rang out in the distance. It was the church bells, calling the faithful to Holy Mass. Vartan immediately stopped racing about and announced:

“Come on, friends, it is time to receive Jesus in the Eucharist!”

The boys had made their first Communion not long ago, and were full of springtime enthusiasm. Each time they received the Blessed Sacrament, grace flooded their young souls.

“Yes, let’s hurry! We can’t be late!” replied Narek.

And they set off for the church with rapid steps.

Watching them at a short distance were two other boys, Anahid and Dibran. They were also Catholics, but not practising ones, and had already become quite lost in sin and error. They were amazed to see young boys so eager to take part in a religious celebration, and their amazement soon gave way to hatred and envy.

Being a little bigger than Vartan, Narek and Tabel, they thought it would be easy to dissuade the three from attending. They hid behind some bushes, then howled wildly when the three friends passed, leaping out at them in sudden ambush, and laughing to see the surprise they caused.

“Where are you off to? Don’t you want to have some fun with us?” asked Anahid.

Tabel, the smallest, replied with firmness:

“We can’t play now. We’re on our way to Mass.”

“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Dibran. “What a waste of time! Stop being so foolish!”

“What?” retorted the little lad, indignant. “You call it foolish to want to receive God Himself?”

Dibran only continued:

“That’s just old-fashioned nonsense… Tales for little goody-goodies!”

Furious, Narek could no longer keep silent:

“You are the foolish ones to miss out on the Eucharist. It is the greatest gift a person can receive! Let’s go, friends. We have no time to waste with these… ” and he bit his lip without finishing the sentence, while casting an aggrieved look at those boys, so blinded by their evil ways.

Before turning his back on them, Tabel promised:

“We will pray for you.”

At Mass, during the Consecration, the three friends exchanged a meaningful glance and each of them prayed for Anahid and Dibran. They asked God to convert or to punish them, most importantly so that they would cease to offend Him. For those two boys had lost their greatest treasure: the light of innocence.

As they walked away together after the celebration, still in view of the church, the three faithful youngsters were surprised by something luminous that swooped over their heads. But their wonder only grew when they heard a bird begin to sing with a sweeter and more melodious voice than that of any nightingale! Utterly intrigued, they followed the sound of those harmonious notes.

They soon spotted a bird perched on a low bough of an oak tree, looking more like a living jewel than an earthly animal. It was about the size of an eagle, with an elegant head and neck, covered with blue feathers of varied sapphire and aquamarine hues.

Its beak was thin and defiant, and appeared almost gilded. Turquoise and silver tones shimmered all over its body, and its breast plumage seemed to be of emerald, while the flowing tail was graced with violet tints.

The three had never seen anything like it! They were simply spellbound at the sight of such a bird! Little did they realize that the two scoffers were approaching from behind, growing more and more puzzled with what seemed to be open-mouthed admiration of an old tree.

Although they suspected a trick, Anahid and Dibran ventured closer… But, try as they might, they saw nothing more than branches and foliage. The fact was that this wondrous bird was invisible to eyes tainted by sin.

Exasperated, they finally cried out:

“What is this ridiculous charade? What are you trying to prove to us?”

Taken aback, Tabel turned and replied:

“Can’t you see the amazing bird? Just look at those spectacular colours!”

And Vartan exclaimed:

“It’s is a bird from Paradise for sure!”

Just then, the bird sang an exquisite melody, which even Anahid and Dibran heard. The two continued to anxiously survey the tree branches… but they saw nothing.

“Its song is proportional to its beauty!” exclaimed Narek.

Then Anahid and Dibran clearly understood it was their sinful state that kept them from seeing the bird, and they were mortified with shame. But God’s grace was powerfully at work in their souls.

Just then, young Tabel was inspired to go over to them and whisper something that only they could hear.

Deeply abashed, but also grateful to hear his earnest and simple advice, they nodded their heads. Now fully repentant, they headed straight for the church accompanied by the solicitous Tabel.

After the two had gone to Confession and made their peace with God, the youngster took them to Our Lady’s altar, and declared:

“There’s nothing She can’t fix. She even restores innocence. If you pray hard, with a lot of trust, She will heed you for sure!” It was difficult to tell whose zeal was greater: that of the two young converts, or Tabel, with his eagerness to see these souls take the path of virtue…

As they prayed, Vartan and Narek finally arrived, and regretfully told them that the beautiful bird had flown away. They were sorely disappointed. The two had returned to the state of grace, but would they ever have the chance to see that extraordinary creature?

They did not have long to lament, for the mysterious bird suddenly flew through the Church doorway and circled elegantly over the statue of the Queen of Heaven, in a show of colour and light.

The boys were beside themselves with joy. Grace had opened the eyes of Anahid and Dibran to contemplate the wonders that God reserves for the innocent.

After a sublime farewell song, the bird disappeared. Was it an Angel or a bird from Terrestrial Paradise? The boys would never know for sure. But they would never forget its beauty, the reward for innocence. ◊