The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.

ONE DAY A GROUP OF BOY SCOUTS WERE SITTING AROUND A CAMPFIRE. THEIR
COUNSELOR PROCEEDED TO TELL THEM ABOUT HOW THE ROBIN GOT HIS RED
BREAST. MANY YEARS AGO A SIMILAR CAMPFIRE EXISTED WHEN A ROBIN,
ATTRACTED BY ITS FRIENDLY SONG AND CONVERSATION, FLEW BY TO HEAR
WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE FLEW TOO CLOSE TO THE FIRE AND SINGED HIS
BREAST--EVER SINCE ALL ROBINS HAVE RED BREASTS. AS THE COUNSELOR
TOLD THIS TALE A ROBIN FLEW BY, AGAIN TOO CLOSE TO THE FLAMES.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED

Date learned: 02-15-1970