Long ago, when the world moved to the rhythm of the seasons and animals spoke with the wind, January was not the month we know today. Back then, January was short, spiteful, and a bit envious. He took great pleasure in tormenting a beautiful blackbird who, at the time, had feathers as white as milk.
Every time the White Blackbird poked her beak out of the nest to look for food, January would unleash blizzards and icy winds, cackling through the icicles: “I’ve caught you now, my white friend!”
The Blackbird’s Trick
The Blackbird was as clever as she was beautiful. One year, she decided to outsmart the month. She gathered a huge store of berries and seeds, tucked herself away in her nest, and refused to come out. At that time, January had only 28 days.
On the twenty-eighth day, believing the danger had passed, the Blackbird flew out and began to sing a joyful song:
“January, you are finished! You can’t hurt me anymore. The sun is returning, and I am still here, whiter than ever!”
January’s Revenge
January was furious. Feeling insulted by the bird’s courage, he decided to seek revenge. He went to his neighbor, February, and asked for a favor: “My friend, lend me three of your days. I must teach that impertinent creature a lesson!”
February agreed. Suddenly, the sky turned black. The sun vanished, and the earth was bitten by a frost so terrible that even the rivers stopped flowing. The Blackbird, caught by surprise, could no longer find shelter among the bare, frozen branches.
The Chimney Refuge
Desperate, her wings heavy with ice, the Blackbird saw a thin trail of smoke rising from a small stone cottage. She flew toward the roof and squeezed herself into the chimney—the only place where the warmth of the wood fire could save her life.
She stayed hidden there for three long days: the 29th, 30th, and 31st of January. In that dark, warm, protective space, she huddled close to the walls while the storm raged outside.
The Morning Surprise
When the blizzard finally died down and the sun began to shine again, the Blackbird climbed out of the chimney. She was safe and sound, but when she looked at her wings, she was stunned. They were no longer white like snow. The soot from the chimney had stained them forever.
From that day on, blackbirds were no longer born white, but with feathers as dark as charcoal. And since then, the last three days of January are remembered as the coldest of the year—a reminder that winter always keeps one last, icy surprise up its sleeve.
🇮🇹 Key Vocabulary :
- Blackbird: Merlo / Merla
- Soot: Fuliggine
- Chimney: Comignolo / Camino
- Blizzard: Bufera / Tempesta di neve
- Spiteful: Dispettoso
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