the thorn birds

There is a legend about a bird which sings just once
in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the
face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest
it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it
has found one. Then, singing among the savage
branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest
spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-
carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative
song, existence the price. But the whole world stills
to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the
best is only bought at the cost of great pain... Or so
says the legend.

-The Thorn Brids by Colleen McCullough