“Mighty master! Since the days of Moses, who employed the Shamir when
writing on the tablets of stone, the worm has been entrusted to the
care of the Prince of the Sea who has given it into the charge of the
wood-cock. The latter has sworn to the Prince of the Sea to carry the
Shamir with him at all times. The wood-cock lives in a big nest built
on the top of a very lofty pinnacle in a mountain range. He has
employed the Shamir to split the hard rock so as to plant seed in the
clefts. The new vegetation which grows there is used for food by the
wood-cock. Whenever he goes from his nest he takes the Shamir with him,
carrying it beneath his wing, mindful of his oath to the Prince of the
Sea.”
“Enough,” cried Solomon; “thou shalt abide with me till the Temple is
built.”
Once again King Solomon summoned his trusty captain Benaiah, telling
him to discover the nest of the wood-cock and to obtain the Shamir and
to bring it back to the Holy City.
“Take with thee,” said the King, “a glass cover, a little wool and a
small leaden box. May thy journey be as successful this time as thy
former one.”
Benaiah obeyed with a glad heart all the instructions which King
Solomon had given. He set out on his journey, crossing hill and dale,
stream and desert. At last he discovered the nest of the bird he
sought. The wood-cock was away on one of his expeditions. In the nest
were the fledgelings. Benaiah now covered the nest with the glass cover
which he had brought with him for this purpose. He then concealed
himself and awaited events.
When the wood-cock returned he attempted to enter his nest, but found
himself foiled, for the glass was very hard and strong. He saw through
the glass his helpless young; and flapping his wings and screeching
loudly tried to break the glass. All his efforts were in vain. The
young birds frightened by the noise also began to screech.
“What is to be done?” cried the wood-cock in the language of the birds.
Again and again he tried to smash the glass, but without success. As a
last resource, he determined to make use of the precious treasure
entrusted to his care. He produced the Shamir from beneath his wing and
put it on the glass which split into pieces as soon as it was touched
by the wonderful worm. At that instant Benaiah raised a lusty cry and
frightened the wood-cock so that he dropped the Shamir. It had barely
fallen upon the ground when it was seized by Benaiah, who carefully
placed it in the wool and secured it by putting it in the small leaden
box which he had brought for this special purpose.
Without lingering a moment, Benaiah set out on his homeward journey,
rejoicing greatly at his complete success. In chagrin the wood-cock
killed himself, fearing the terrible vengeance which the Prince of the
Sea would execute when the disappearance of the Shamir became known.
Benaiah reached the Holy City in safety and delivered to King Solomon
the wonderful worm. With its marvellous help the wise King built the
Temple, and thereafter the Shamir has disappeared and no one knows
where it is to be found.
(Babylonian Talmud Giṭṭin, 68 a and b.)