Go on, Tinkle-Tinkle, and do not sorrow, for some day you shall
come back to me, and I will wrap you in my wings and take you where
you belong, and then you will understand."
When the Tinkle-Tinkle heard this he was glad with a new strange
gladness, and he went back to his cave; but not alone, for the
spirit of hope went with him.
The Tinkle-Tinkle had one gift--he could sing--how, no man knew,
not even the Tinkle-Tinkle himself; and this is how he discovered
his gift.
One day in a secluded spot in the forest he found a dying stag, and
the Tinkle-Tinkle was moved with great compassion and yet could do
nothing.
The great stag's head drooped lower and lower till even the sun
melted in a mist of pity, and the trees sighed, and the breezes
hushed their voices. Then suddenly the Tinkle-Tinkle crept close
and began to sing, why or how he knew not. As he sang, the birds
and the stream were silenced and the breezes ceased, and the great
stag's breathing grew less and less laboured, and his eyes
brightened, and presently he rose slowly to his feet and paced away
to join the rest of the herd, and the Tinkle-Tinkle went with him.
When the stag's companions heard the story, they wept for all that
had befallen their leader, but rejoiced also and blessed the
Tinkle-Tinkle; and he sang once more for them, and the Star-spirits
leaned out of their bright little windows to listen, and the night
was glad.
Many were the adventures of the Tinkle-Tinkle, and countless the
creatures he cheered and helped, yet he never fancied himself any
use or knew why he was in the world.
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