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Wren-Zaunkönig

He is happy like a snow king ...

 

In our minds we quickly go through all the fairy tale characters. Snow King? But we cannot remember him in Andersen, Hauff or Grimm. The language has completely different in mind: You surely know the smallest of the feathered singers, the wren? This little bird is so persistent and resilient that it can withstand even the harshest winter with us, which is why it is sometimes called the Snow King or Winter King. And because he is also so infinitely lively and funny, the comparison was made right away: "He's happy like a snow king" when you meet someone among people who walks along particularly lively and happy and is happy about his life.

 

 

Wren

 

Once the birds wanted it

to be ruled by a king

and invited everyone big and small

to the royal race.

And everyone swung up

but the eagle did it to everyone.

The birds choir already pays homage to him,

than suddenly emerged from under him

the very smallest bird flew

and cheated him of kingship.

 

Because this little one had it

between his big legs,

undiscovered by him and all,

until then cunningly hid

and flew out cheekily now,

did it extra hard to the eagle

and wanted to be king myself now.

It was him - to his shame alone.

 

Because all birds, big and small,

mocked him all over the country.

Wherever he flew, there flew the shame

mocking the little bird.

 

Then his majesty felt

how ill-conceived dignity is;

and has been living around before

the mockers tease

to be protected in fences

and in hedges.

 

Joachim Heinrich Campe (1746-1818)

 

Appology, I'm not the great bird tog and do not have the right lens, but I have the patience and love them!

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Uploaded on October 30, 2021
Taken on March 5, 2021