The Allegory of the Swallow's Nest

It came to pass that two swallows searched for a safe porch under which to build a nest, wherein they might raise a family. And the father bird said to the mother bird, "Look hither. Behold, I have found a safe spot, that we might build a nest."

Therefore, they began to build, and they brought twigs and mud and dung and builded it up. And the birds said, "Behold, it beginneth to be a nest, but lest it not hold strong against the wind and the rain and the storms, we shall continue to build." And after many days the nest was completed, and behold, it was strong.

Therefore, they brought forth and produced eggs, and they had no fear of losing their eggs therein, because it was strong. And the mother bird sat upon and the eggs, and the father bird stood watch that no stranger might come upon the nest. And the winds blew and the rain dashed upon the porch, but the nest was strong and withstood the storms. And many days passed. And behold, at last the eggs were hatched and the birds rejoiced for they had preserved unto themselves a posterity.And it came to pass that the mother and father birds nourished the babies that they may become strong like unto their parents.

And it came to pass that the baby birds began to grow and thrive exceedingly. And after many days the babies began to learn to fly that they might continue to grow and develop that they might not perish. And it came to pass that after many days the babies were sufficiently strong and had grown like unto their parents and were able to fly on their own.

And the mother and father birds were glad that they had brought forth their young and had taught them to be strong like unto themselves. And they rejoiced exceedingly that they had labored diligently and had preserved unto themselves a posterity, wherein they were glad and could see that it was good. And their reward was precious above all other rewards.

And behold, the nest was emply.

And behold, the end draweth near and the birds are happy and have joy because their babies are yet alive, and are not cast away, but bring forth babies of their own.