"A long time ago," she went on, "there came a summer when no rain fell
for many weeks. As you know, all the feathered folk can get along pretty
well if there are only dew-drops to drink. But after a time there was no
dew, and even the grass withered and died.
"All the feathered tribes suffered terribly from thirst. At last they
gathered together in a great council, and asked the Master of Life to
take pity on them in their sad state. He heard their prayer, and sent
the angel who cares for the wild folk to speak to them.
"'The Master of Life,' said he, 'has seen your sufferings and heard your
prayers. He is merciful and kind, and has given orders to the Angel of
the Rain Clouds to supply your needs. Look!' said he, pointing to the
west. All the feathered folk looked, and behold, in the distance, the
dark Rain Clouds were already flying toward them, driven by the breath
of the Angel of the Winds.
"Soon the rain began to fall, the grass, the flowers, and the trees
revived, the springs were filled, and the sweet murmur of running water
was again heard in the brooks and rivers. The wild folk drank and were
refreshed.
"Before the Angel of the Wild Folk departed, he said, 'From this time on
forever when you drink, you must raise your head as a token of
thankfulness to the Master of Life who has sent you the refreshing
rain.'
"If you watch them, you will notice that all the feathered folk show
their gratitude to the Master of Life in the same way."