Jay, Crow, Raven

‘Birds will bring you messages, look closely when they’re seen. The Jay is life, the Crow is death, the Raven’s in-between.’

A long time ago, there were three black birds. One was called Jay, one was Crow, and one was Raven. Jay often aided humans and other animals in the forest, but Jay was also impatient and cocky. Crow, however, was wary and timid especially towards humans. Crow was also overly protective and would often warn others of danger. Raven was distant and impartial to their friend’s bickering but embraced their company with a ruffle of their feathers.

The humans grew fond of the Jay’s visits and often they would speak with them. Jay learned the human’s language and brought interesting tales to the world of animals and most commonly to their friends Crow and Raven. “One day you will find a human that hunts birds,” Crow warned. “He will spear you in the heart and we will be left mourning.”

Jay cackled and replied, “No human dares hunt for birds in this forest. Even if that were to happen, Raven will come for me.”

Raven turned to their two friends. “I would,” Raven answered simply.

Many days later, a child came up to Jay. “Help me Jay, help! My mother is ill, and I cannot leave her. Will you go into the woods to the top of the hill where the doctor lives and ask him to come down?”

“Certainly,” Jay replied and took flight towards the woods.

“Before you go,” The child cried. “I must tell you something.”

“Child, there is nothing you can say that I don’t already know. Besides, I am already in flight and will grow too tired if I stop now.” With their words spoken, Jay flew away without heeding the child’s words.

Jay flew deep into the glen. Jay had never been so deep in the forest before. They took a rest on a birch tree. After a bit of rest, Jay decided to fly up past the trees to see how close they were to the house on top of the hill. They flew up, up, up. There was a crack and a sharp stab of pain before they fell down, down, down. Jay lie on the ground, an arrow through their heart. The child’s father, who had been hunting in the deep woods, never expected Jay to never venture that far. He saw what he had done, and he wailed. Crow heard the man’s cries and upon seeing the prediction of death come true, Crow became so overwhelmed with grief that they flew back towards the town crying, “Jay is dead, Jay is dead!”

Only those who knew the words of Crow heard the news. The hunter came home to tell the villagers what he had done only to learn that his wife had also grown ill and died while he was away. The humans had a funeral for the mother while the animals held a funeral for Jay. Raven perched beside the child. “The afterlife is full of trials. I wish I could know if my mother made it to the other side.”

At Jay’s funeral, Crow cried and wailed so much that their voice grew hoarse. Raven perched beside Crow. “The afterlife is full of trials and dangerous roads,” Crow whispered. “I wish I knew if Jay made it to the other side.” Without a word, Raven flew away.

Raven flew to the afterlife without resting. They flew through the Mist of Souls, past the Trials, beyond the Castle of the Afterlife and towards the Tree of Life. There in the land of judgement was Jay and the woman. Raven perched upon the Tree and waited for their judgement. Raven witnessed Jay perch before the two gatekeepers. One spoke of Jay’s faults, the other of Jay’s strengths. “Jay,” Spoke one gatekeeper. “In your impatience and pride, you failed to heed the child’s warning. In doing so, you failed to be wary of her father hunting in the woods.”

The other gatekeeper chimed in. “However, you lost your life in an attempt to save another.” The first guardian spoke, “Your haste led to the death of you both.” The second guardian continued, “But you did not leave the child without help. You have also helped others in the past. Therefore, your spirit will pass on.”

Raven the witness took a sigh in relief. Soon after, the woman passed through the gates as well. With this knowledge, Raven flew back to the living.

For three days, Raven was missing. Crow worried for their friends. They began to perch near the humans, mourning with them. Seeing Crow and hearing their hoarse cries reminded the humans of what they lost. They welcomed the company as the village continued their mourning, urged by their uncertainty of what came of the souls of the lost. On the evening of the third day, Raven returned. “Please Raven, tell me the news,” Crow wailed.

“Jay has gone someplace where they will never suffer,” Raven replied.

“You said before you would bring her back,” Crow reminded them.

“I have,” Raven explained. “I have come to the village to let everyone know Jay and the woman have safely passed on. Do not forget them and they will never be gone again.”

Leaving the Crow, Raven brought the message to the people and animals in the forest. Though the sting of their loss would not heal for a while, the news of Jay and the mother’s safe passing eased their minds. The Jay was then forever a symbol of life which will come and go, and it is terrible luck to kill a Jay. Crow became the symbol of death and mourning. Raven became a sign that those who recently passed away traveled safely to the other side.