Feathered Grace

In studies of fairy tales from all over the world, §only one basic rule holds true: the advice of the §animal helper is always right. It does not matter §what the animal tells the heroes of fairy tale to §do, what matters is following the animal''s advice. §If they do not, then disaster is certain to strike. §"Feathered Grace" explores the idea, found not only §in fairy tales, but in myths and literary traditions §around the world, that winged animals play an §essential role in inspiring and guiding human beings §to excel and embrace their own better natures, in §addition to warning what will happen if they indulge §in their lesser natures as well. §"Feathered Grace" studies stories from Greek, Roman, §Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Celtic, §and Native American traditions, showing how winged §animals help in achieving wholeness and harmonic §balance of the individual and community. The book §concludes with consideration of the birds that share §our lives today in homes, backyards, and the §wilderness, exploring their essential role in §understanding the mutual reciprocity of our §collective existence.