“Tell your secret to the birds,” said the other.
So Jesus called to the birds.
“Come,” He cried; and they came.
Seven came flying from the left, from the side of the angel beautiful as Night. Seven came flying from the right, from the side of the angel beautiful as Morning.
To the first He said: “Look into my heart.”
But they wheeled about Him, and with new-found voices mocked, crying, “How could we see into your heart that is hidden” ... and mocked and derided, crying, “What is Peace!... Leave us alone! Leave us alone!”
So Christ said to them:
“I know you for the birds of Ahriman, who is not beautiful but is Evil. Henceforth ye shall be black as night, and be children of the winds.”
To the seven other birds which circled about Him, voiceless, and brushing their wings against His arms, He cried:
“Look into my heart.”