Francis and the Doves

A boy who had caught many pigeons, took them for sale. Francis found him, and since he felt special tenderness for meek animals, he saw the turtledoves with compassionate eyes, and said to the boy:

"My good boy; please give me those innocent birds, which in Holy Scripture represent chaste, humble and faithful souls, so that they do not come across to cruel hands that will kill them!"

And the boy, driven by God, gave them all away. Francis spoke to the doves sweetly:

"Sisters doves, simple, innocent and caste! Why did they get caught? I want to free them from death now, and I am going to make them nests to multiply, according to the Creator's mandate."

And Francisco made them all nest. They became domesticated, and began laying eggs and brooding in view of the brothers. And they lived and alternated familiarly with Francisco and the other brothers as if they were chickens always fed by them. And they didn't leave until Francisco gave them permission to do so, with his blessing.

To the boy he said: "Little son, you will become a younger brother in this Order and you will serve in grace to Jesus Christ."

And so it happened: that young man became religious and lived in the Order with great holiness.