The Boy Who Knew the Language of the Birds

by Margaret K. Wetterer

Summary

A long time ago in western Ireland, a boy named Colum learned the language of the birds just as humans learn their languages. His mother warned him never to tell anyone about his talent. Colum listened to the stories of the birds and repeated them to others, but he was never able to tell others where the inspiration from his stories came from. Soon, the king summoned Colum to share his stories with the royal family. While at the castle, Colum learned of the sadness of the royal family, that the first two sons had gone missing when they were only a few days old. The queen soon became pregnant again, and she gave birth to a boy. There were strict instructions all around the castle that no one from the Fairy World could pass into the gates, as it was feared that fairies stole the first two sons.

During the upheaval in the castle, the young princess was ignored, and Colum felt bad for her. Overhearing the birds discuss that the branch that they sat on was magic and could grant her three wishes, Colum took the branch and gave it to the princess. She did not believe him, and jokingly wished him to turn into a dog. The princess was horrified when he did turn into a dog, and decided she would use her second wish to turn him back and keep the third wish for herself, but Colum had run away with the magic stick by then. He decided that given his heightened senses, he enjoyed being a dog and guarding the castle. He overheard some sparrows discussing the Fairy Queen's plan to send an eagle to steal the newborn son, and he was able to overturn the plot just in time. The king and queen appointed Colum, now a dog, to guard the newborn prince. When the princess approached him and explained she would turn him back into a boy, he pleaded for a bit more time as a dog.

The Fairy Queen hatched another plan to steal the newborn, and this time it worked. Colum was believed to have stolen the child, and had to use the magic stick to escape certain death. Colum made the decision to save all of the king's sons, and he headed off to the fairy fortress. Gaining entrance, he saw the two older boys, and was able to coax them onto his back with the baby. He made a third and final with with the magic stick, that they would return to the palace. Although he succeeded and brought the boys all back home safely, the Fairy Queen took away all of his magical powers. When he awoke, he was back at home with his family, and he never returned to the castle or spoke the language of the birds again.

Discussion

The illustrations in this book were quite small, but the words weave a fascinating story that is little known outside of Ireland. The story of Colum and saving the Princes of Ireland through self sacrifice is a noble story as well as heroic, appealing to both sexes, especially males, as they are the focal point of this story. This book would be a great read aloud for an older grade, perhaps 2nd or 3rd, as it would take a bit of time to finish the story. As this story is rewritten by Margaret Wetterer, the original was an oral story, which is quite fitting as Colum was a fantastic storyteller. For any classroom theme of fantasy, or dealing with Ireland, or even birds, this book would be a fantastic classroom aid or supplement.

Wetterer, M. K. (1991). The Boy Who Knew the Language of the Birds (Fiction Series). Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.