There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…. Or so says the legend.
传说中有一种荆棘鸟,一生只唱一次,那歌声比世界上所有一切生灵的歌声都更加优美动听。从离开巢窝的那一刻起,她就在寻找荆棘树,直到如愿以偿。然后,她把自己的身体扎进最长、最尖的刺上,在那荒蛮的枝条之间放开歌喉。在奄奄一息的深刻里,她超脱了自身的痛苦,那歌声使云雀和夜莺都黯然失色。这是一曲无比 美好的歌,曲终而命竭,然而,整个世界都在静静地谛听,上帝也在苍穹中微笑。因为,最美好的东西只能用深痛巨创来换取。
鸟儿胸前带着荆棘,她遵循着一个不可改变的法则,她被不知名的东西刺穿身体,被驱赶着,歌唱着死去。在荆棘刺进身体的一瞬,她没有意识到死之将至。她只是唱着,唱着,直到生命耗尽, 再也唱不出一个音符。