She came from the mountains to the south of the Glass Wastes and stole fire from the hearth of heaven. Mockingbird-on-the-Left delivered fire to humankind, but having tasted the fire herself, she could not remain among mortals. She ascended to heaven, saying that she would accept any punishment the gods meted out, if she only she was allowed to remain among those who did not age. For her crime, Mockingbird-on-the-Left was stripped of her voice, and since that day, only the male mockingbird sings and only in the voices of other birds. But for her service in saving humankind from the cold, the gods most sympathetic to men asked her to be their messenger and gave her wings of flame. Mockingbird-on-the-Left can sometimes be seen passing through the skies high over earth, trailing fire, as she goes about the business of the gods.
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Mockingbird-on-the-Left
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