Everyone knows the rooster at first sight. He is distinguished by his comb, which makes this bird unique in all the world. But do you know how the rooster came to have this special mark? It happened in the days when Lord Vishnu walked upon the earth in the form of Lord Rama.

In the great epic, The Ramayana, the story is told that because of a promise made by his elderly father, Rama went into exile in the forest for fourteen years. His wife Sita, his brother Lakshmana, and Lakshmana’s wife Urmila all agreed to accompany him, and together they turned their backs on the glittering life of the court and capital.

It was a dramatic change for them, to go from the abundance and luxury of the palace to the hardship of the forest, where they must forage for their own food, sleep on the ground, and wear clothing made of bark. What is more, they were now completely cut off from all their friends and family. Therefore, Sita’s unexpectedly disappearance while Rama and Lakshmana were away, made Rama fear that perhaps she had been unable to endure their ascetic lifestyle any more, and had slipped off to return to the palace. This made his very sorrowful, but then a rooster, who had seen what had happened, came forward.

“Oh, Rama,” said the bird, “do not be discouraged. I have seen what has happened.”

“What do you say, friend Rooster?” Rama demanded. “Bearer of news and herald of the dawn, please tell me what you know.”

“O Lord, I know that Sita was taken against her will. In your absence, one who appeared to be a sage came and spoke to her. When she trusted him and stepped from her place of protection, he revealed himself to be the evil demon Ravanna.”

“Ravanna!” said Rama.

“Yes,” said the rooster. “Ravanna, the ten headed demon king. And although she resisted, and called for your help. Ravanna overpowered her and carried her away. As they disappeared in the distance, we could still hear her calling your name.”

“Friend,” said Rama, with great emotion, “with this news you have given me a great gift. I wish all the world to know of your nobility, and therefore I will bless you with a golden crown which you and your children shall wear all the days that you live.”

But the rooster said, “O Rama, great is your generosity, but say not so. Already men pursue me for my flesh. If I wear gold, I will never have any peace and the days that I live will be short!”

And seeing the wisdom in what the bird said, Rama changed his blessing from a crown of gold to one of red flesh, which every rooster bears to this day.