Two rather different Turtle Doves

"I have no idea what you are twittering on about, I assure you!"

"Coo! Hark at her. No need to ruffle your feathers; you're not all yer cracked up to be, ya know?"

The first Turtle Dove cocked her head to one side and puffed out her downy chest, "I think you know what I am referring to...even with your obvious disdain for good grace and manners, anyone could see that class is something one is bred for, and not naturally inherent."

"Yeah, whatever..." Turtle Dove number two, who to any untrained eye, looked a perfect facsimile of the first, scratched his wing-pit with his beak and set about his usual inspection for bugs or other objects of interest.

"Oh, good lord! You really are the most frightful oaf!"

"Coo! Get off your high perch and say that again, if yer dare!"

A twinkle in the trees set the last of the autumnal leaves to flutter past their tiny, angry heads. A halo of soft sunlight radiated softly, and bathed their feathers in its warmth; and then a voice came... soft, honeyed tones of gentle music to their ears, sang the earth song of the All-Mother.

"Coo! 'ere, this is all your fault with your high-faluting gobbing-off," the second Turtle Dove whispered urgently, as the two protagonists forgot their mutual argument and huddled together in guilty feeling.

"Are you my envoys of love and peace?
Do you two know your duty?
Give forth your gifts of love and hope,
by showing man your beauty."

As the wind whispered the song of the All-Mother, the two birds found themselves encased in twigs; twigs which warped, wrapped and trapped them in a wicker cage. A soft south-easterly, bore them aloft from the All-Mother's tree and safely cradled them back down to earth.

The birds did not speak, but hung their heads in shame; they would not forget their blessed duty again.

Some time passed and the birds worked out their differences. A wandering page found the 'gift' and took it to the palace, as he had taken the previous day's find of a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

"What find you in the forest today, good page?" asked the King, for he was very happy with the joy the first gift had created in his kingdom.

"I came upon a clearing by the Old Earth Tree, and it felt great peace, and spiritual calm. Upon looking at this wondrous place I found a wicker cage and I brought it to your Majesty post haste."

The page bowed and presented the gift from the All-Mother. Reverentially, the king opened the delicately crafted lid, so that all the court could listen to their beautiful song, and message from the goddess:

Pigeons coo soft greeting from up above,
Ever unlike our kind of turtle dove
All we knew was to bicker and fight
Ceaselessly squabbled day and night
Even angered Great-Mom-in-the-Sky

All-Knowing, she asked us to kinship try
Now thrown together to our manners mend
Do one's best to helping hand lend

Glory eludes the one who walks apart
Our inner selves we should find for a start
Open our hearts and each other embrace
Definitely put oneself in the other's place
We shall together a new world build
In giving away we find our hearts filled
Love will always find its own unique way
Let us all close eyes in Thanks and pray.

** Image ID #1355186 Unavailable **

Collaborative effort: Acme , Anne Tshudy & Just an Ordinary Boo!