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Animal Rights History Timeline » [c485-1450] Medieval Ages » Francis Assisi

Saint Francis Assisi

Thomas of Celano, Rembrance-Desire of a Soul

Sister Cricket

[1240-1245] Thomas of Celano "A Cricket," chap. 130 in The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, reprinted in Francis of Assisi, Early Documents: The Founder (New York, New City Press: 1999; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks: Online Preview).

A cricket lived in a fig tree by the cell of the holy one of God at the Portiuncula, and it would sing frequently with its usual sweetness. Once the blessed father stretched out his hand to it and gently called it to him: "My Sister Cricket, come to me!" And the cricket, as if it had reason, immediately climbed onto his hand. He said to it: "Sing, my sister cricket, and with joyful song praise the Lord your Creator!" The cricket, obeying without delay, began to chirp, and did not stop singing until the man of God, mixing his own songs with praise, told it to return to its usual place. There it remained constantly for eight days, as if tied to the spot. Whenever the saint would come down from the cell he would always touch it with his and and command it to sing, and it was always eager to obey his commands. And the saint said to his companions: "Let us give permission to our sister cricket to leave, who has up to now made us so happy with her praises, so that our flesh may not boast vainly in any way." And as soon as it had received permission, the cricket went away an never appeared there again. On seeing all this, the brothers were quite amazed. (Founder, 357)