Preface

           for"bigsister"JeanEasthope

           Thereisalegendaboutabirdwhichsingsjustonceinitslife,moresweetlythananyothercreatureonthefaceoftheearth.Fromthemomentitleavesthenestitsearchesforathorntree,anddoesnotrestuntilithasfoundone.Then,singingamongthesavagebranches,itimpalesitselfuponthelongest,sharpestspine.And,dying,itrisesaboveitsownagonytooutcarolthelarkandthenightingale.Onesuperlativesong,existencetheprice.Butthewholeworldstillstolisten,andGodinHisheavensmiles.Forthebestisonlyboughtatthecostofgreatpain...Orsosaysthelegend.