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Fantasy Fan, v. 1, issue 5, January 1934

Page 75

The Sacred Bird

Annals of the Jinns - 4

by R. H. Barlow

There appeared one day in the market-place of Ulathia a most peculiar fowl which fell exhausted from the skies. Its plumage was of brilliant hue, and despite its confusion, a wise and knowing look was seen within the orange eyes. After resting a moment, it fluttered about the square, entering the various shops in a proprietary manner and finally settled in that of a sweetmeat dealer. Soon all the tradesfolk hurried across the cobblestones to see this gaudy visitor and to feed it many tid-bits. Not in the least bothered by its admiring audience, it permitted its head to be scratched and petted as it ate.
In time, the news spread through the thatched houses to the ears of the Imperial Council, all of which laid down their pens and came in a body to view it. It was discovered by them greedily eating a preserved orange-rind, a meal varied by occasional pecks at a nut. Having already devoured odds and ends of all sorts, it was no longer hungry, and even as they panted in, it fell asleep. When the crowd drew aside to admit the rotund Council, it complained loudly.
"Gwarn arf 'n chase y'self!" commanded the half-awake bird. "Gwarn arft," it repeated, fluttering its wings and adjusting for a nice nap. It then uttered a rasping incoherency and dozed off placidly. The people drew back whispering excitedly. "A demon!" averred one. This brought a chorus of dissention among the others. "An angel... Just a trick... Who ever heard of a bird talking?...A magician in disguise...What has happened?...Still thy tongue, neighbor..."
...The head of the Council, a gray-beard notoriously superstitious, cleared his throat and a silence fell over all present. "My friends," he gurgled happily, "My dear friends and fellow citizens! This is an occasion of undoubted significance in the annals of our fair city, equalled only by that of, as you doubtless will realize, early in the reign of-- rather; to continue; In other words, my dear friends," he began over, unable to sustain the sentence any longer, "To  make it clear to all concerned, this is, I believe, and no one, I hope, would contradict me, I have occasion to think--" Here his voice lowered to a whisper and ended in a triumphant shout. "A Messenger sent to guide us!" He leered cheerfully at the mob. "Therefore, let us convey it in state to the City Hall to rule us as it sees fit!"
Which was forthwith done amid much celebration, and the chattering of the escaped parrot from that day guided the fortunes of the city of Ullathia, inteepreted by the Ruler and his Council as they desired.

Another tale in this series will appear next month.

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The Sacred Bird Annals of the Jinns - 4 by R. H. Barlow There appeared one day in the market-place of Ulathia a most peculiar fowl which fell exhausted from the skies. Its plumage was of brilliant hue, and despite its confusion, a wise and knowing look was seen within the orange eyes. After resting a moment, it fluttered about the square, entering the various shops in a proprietary manner and finally settled in that of a sweetmeat dealer. Soon all the tradesfolk hurried across the cobblestones to see this gaudy visitor and to feed it many tid-bits. Not in the least bothered by its admiring audience, it permitted its head to be scratched and petted as it ate. In time, the news spread through the thatched houses to the ears of the Imperial Council, all of which laid down their pens and came in a body to view it. It was discovered by them greedily eating a preserved orange-rind, a meal varied by occasional pecks at a nut. Having already devoured odds and ends of all sorts, it was no longer hungry, and even as they panted in, it fell asleep. When the crowd drew aside to admit the rotund Council, it complained loudly. "Gwarn arf 'n chase y'self!" commanded the half-awake bird. "Gwarn arft," it repeated, fluttering its wings and adjusting for a nice nap. It then uttered a rasping incoherency and dozed off placidly. The people drew back whispering excitedly. "A demon!" averred one. This brought a chorus of dissention among the others. "An angel... Just a trick... Who ever heard of a bird talking?...A magician in disguise...What has happened?...Still thy tongue, neighbor..." ...The head of the Council, a gray-beard notoriously superstitious, cleared his throat and a silence fell over all present. "My friends," he gurgled happily, "My dear friends and fellow citizens! This is an occasion of undoubted significance in the annals of our fair city, equalled only by that of, as you doubtless will realize, early in the reign of-- rather; to continue; In other words, my dear friends," he began over, unable to sustain the sentence any longer, "To make it clear to all concerned, this is, I believe, and no one, I hope, would contradict me, I have occasion to think--" Here his voice lowered to a whisper and ended in a triumphant shout. "A Messenger sent to guide us!" He leered cheerfully at the mob. "Therefore, let us convey it in state to the City Hall to rule us as it sees fit!" Which was forthwith done amid much celebration, and the chattering of the escaped parrot from that day guided the fortunes of the city of Ullathia, inteepreted by the Ruler and his Council as they desired. Another tale in this series will appear next month.