Wiki:
Thornbird myth[edit]
The book's title obliquely refers to the mythical "thornbird" that searches for thorn trees from the day it is hatched. When it finds the perfect thorn, it impales itself, and sings the most beautiful song ever heard as it dies. It directly alludes to the
Parable of the Sower in the
Synoptic Gospels and chapter 9 of the
Gospel of Thomas.[
citation needed]
In the front matter of the book the myth is set out:
There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain.... Or so says the legend.
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