A nobleman from the area of Siena sent a pheasant to blessed
Francis while he was sick. He received it gladly, not with the desire to eat it, but
because it was his custom to rejoice in such creatures out of love for their Creator. He said to the pheasant: "Praised be our Creator, Brother Pheasant!" And to the brothers he said: "Let's make a test
now to see if Brother Pheasant wants to remain with us, or if he'd rather return to his usual
places, which are more fit for him." At the saint's command a brother carried the pheasant away and put
him down in a vineyard far away. Immediately the pheasant returned at a brisk pace to
the father's cell. The saint ordered it to be carried out again, and even
further away, but with great stubbornness it returned to the door of the cell, and, as if
forcing its way, it entered under the tunics of the brothers who were in the doorway. And so the
saint commanded that it should be lovingly cared for, caressing and stroking it with gentle
words.
A doctor who was
very devoted to the holy one of God saw this, and asked the brothers to give it to him, not because he wanted to eat it, but wanting
rather to care for it out of reverence for the saint.
The doctor took
it home with him, but when separated from the saint it seemed hurt, and while away from his presence it absolutely refused
to eat. The doctor was amazed, and at once carried the pheasant back to the saint, telling
him in order all that happened. As soon as it was placed on the ground, and saw its father, it
threw off its sadness and began to eat with joy.
