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 out-carol 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.
There are no other quotes by this person in the Bon Mots database.
There are no other quotes from this source in the Bon Mots database.
Authentication Score 3
More information on Authentication Score coming soon.
Citation
McCullough, Colleen. The Thorn Birds. Harper & Row, 1977, epigraph.
Citation text copied to clipboard.