Murrish

Take him and rear him away from the others, and when he comes to his full strength you and I will take him to hunt the blackbird that is as big in one quarter as the quarter of mutton Murrish the Cook-woman gave me for my dinner.

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

He was hungry, for the food he got did not stay his appetite, but what Murrish said in doubt of his word gave him more hurt than his hunger did.

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

Murrish was so frightened that she ran to the door.

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

"You spoke the truth when you said that you saw a blackbird as big in one quarter as the quarter of mutton I gave you for your dinner," said Murrish the

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

He came into the house and he put the net on the floor, and he showed Murrish what was in the net -- a tremendous bird -- a Blackbird that was as big in one quarter as the quarter of mutton she had on the table.

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

"Eggs of the hedge-sparrow!" said Murrish, "I have handed you the biggest eggs laid by the best hens in the country."

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

And from that day Little Fawn and Murrish the Cook-woman lived in peace and good fellowship, and Ardan and Conbeg grew up together and became famous, one and the other.

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

They came back to the house, and Murrish the Cook-woman was pleased when she heard from

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

"Give him!" said Murrish the Cook-woman, "I have given him a whole barley cake, and that is enough for two men's breakfasts."

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926

"Tell him," said Murrish the Cook-woman, "that I put a whole pat of butter on his dish -- enough to do two men for two days."

The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said Padraic Colum 1926