The Magpie and the Red Thread

A Magpie found a red thread tied to a brass ring in the hollow of an ash tree. The thread ran through a crack too narrow for her beak.

“Pull it,” whispered something from within. “Only the timid leave a mystery closed.”

An Owl above her said, “A thread has two ends, though you have been shown only one.”

The Magpie laughed and tugged. The ring came free with a pleasing click. Behind her, branches bent together and a wicker cage dropped from the leaves.

She escaped through one broken reed, but the cage kept three of her tail feathers and the voice kept laughing.

As she flew away, the Owl called, “Did you discover what was at the other end?”

“A creature who knew I would pull,” said the Magpie.