Let's hear it for the thrush!

[Dunadan]

The thrush doesn't get the credit it deserves.

If it wasn't for the thrush, Bard wouldn't have known where to aim for, Smaug wouldn't have been killed, Bilbo would've been devoured, the Ring would've passed to Smaug, and Middle-Earth would've been plunged into eternal darkness.

Just a thought.:)

cheers

d.

[azalea]

Plus they wouldn't have known when to use the key. How did the mapmaker know the thrush would be knocking when that happened?:)

[BeardofPants]

Oh god, I thought you were cheering on thrush of a differrent sort for a moment there. :o *goes off to make coffee*

[Jadera]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking... :o I didn't remember that part of the story.

[Hasty Ent]

Gosh, it's been a long time since I read the Hobbit, but doesn't a raven play a part in addition to the thrush? As I recall, there is a scene where a raven is intently listening to the dwarves' conversation, and then abruptly flies off. One of the company throws something or almost throws something at it, but is stopped by another member with more wisdom.

Or maybe I'm thinking of LoTR....

The senior moments are occurring more frequently!:eek:

[Lizra]

The raven of Erebor, old Carc (and his wife) lived on Ravenhill, on the mountain when Balin and Thorin were young. The ravens and dwarves were friends and the ravens spyed for the dwarves. The dwarves rewarded them bright shiny things. ;)

So, the wonderful thrush listened as Bilbo and Balin talked about the ravens of the old days, then he flew off, and brought old Roac (son of old Carc) to "speak" with Balin and Thorin. Roac told the dwarves that Smaug was dead, and that the elves and lakemen were thinking they deserved some of the spoils of the dragon plunder. He told them not to trust the master of the Lake men, but to listen to Bard instead. Then Thorin asked Roac to go to Dain and give the message that his army was needed. Good birds! ;)

[Hasty Ent]

Thanks Lizra! It's comforting to know that I have a few brain cells still functioning and my memory of a raven in the Hobbit wasn't the result of a misspent youth.;)

[Coney]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Oh god, I thought you were cheering on thrush of a differrent sort for a moment there. :o *goes off to make coffee*

Yup:o

psst....canesten combi or natural yoghurt works;)

I luv the thrush in The Hobbit.....pity the bloody starlings have chased most of them away here:(

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Hmm...I seem to be a bit in the dark here...

[Coney]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Hmm...I seem to be a bit in the dark here...

Starlings are more aggresive.........a bit like the feathered equivalent of Orcs:eek: ;)

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I meant about the other "thrush". :p

[Coney]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
I meant about the other "thrush". :p

ah well, that is OT......but sometimes not all songbirds sing so sweetly (don't worry you'll find out as soon as yer married;) )

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Well, THAT's enlightening. :p

[Dunadan]

So shall we have a clap for the thrush? I believe the bird's family name was candida:rolleyes:

We've got a thrush who sings every evening in the neighbours' garden. It's so beautiful, I could listen to it all day. Well, maybe not all day, but you can't beat it with a G&T after a stressful week.

[Lizra]

All this Thrush talk makes me itchy! Can anyone name some other animals that could "speak" with people? Not the "normal" telecommunication that occured between wizards or elves and animals, but actual speaking? I think of the wolves in the Hobbit, "speaking" a language that Gandalf (and the goblins?) understood. Were their any other "special" creatures that could talk?

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Those were Wargs, not wolves; entirely different creatures, I think.

[azalea]

Well, of course there were the eagles. And Beorn could speak bear I'm sure. Can't think of any others right now.

[Lizra]

.......But even the Wild Wargs (for so the evil wolves over the Edge of the Wild were named) cannot climb trees.......

....In the middle of the circle was a great grey wolf. He spoke to them in the dreadful language of the Wargs. Gandalf understood it. Bilbo did not, but it sounded terrible to him, and as if all their talk was about cruel and wicked things, as it was....

In "Out of the Frying-Pan Into the Fire", Wolves and wargs seem to refer to the same creatures. Also, goblins must understand them, since the wolves help the goblins plan and execute raids, and share the plunder...

Yes, the eagles! :)

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Yes, the Goblins certainly understood them.

But always keep in mind; the Hobbit was written as a children's book.

[Lizra]

So......:confused:

[Gwaimir Windgem]

It wasn't originally meant to be part of his mythology; he just "borrowed" parts from it.

[Lizra]

Hmmmm, I prefer to think of it as "one of" the mythologies! :)

[Dunadan]

In some ways, The Hobbit is a better book than LOTR. Let's not argue about that here though. But I don't see why it matters that it was written as a children's book.

I too like the ravens. Old Carc is cool, especially how he's described as having a baldy heid.

Funny how in LOTR the birds are mostly portrayed as spies and servants of the enemy. Apart from the ubiquitous eagles, all we get for the good guys is some vague reference to Radagast's messengers (though that did lead to Gandalf being rescued from Orthanc).

cheers

d.

[Lizra]

Yes, don't "dis" The Hobbit! :eek: :(

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I wasn't. I was just saying that in some ways, it's not necessarily a very good source for information about Tolkien's world.

[Fat middle]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Yes, the Goblins certainly understood them.

But always keep in mind; the Hobbit was written as a children's book.

i don't thing that's a good way to analyze The Hobbit, GW.

when reading TH i always keep in mind that it was written by Bilbo and yep, perhaps to be told to the young hobbits, because the mature ones were rather dissapointing...

i think that JRRT showed his mastery in that he create a world begining with the sources. he liked to tell the same story from different points of view, and that gives to his work a rare grade of reality (sub-reality). The hobbit and LOTR are perfectly consistent if you keep in mind who and for whom wrote the books.

BTW, of course there are also talking animals in LOTR: the fox of the Shire.:D

[Elf Girl]

I remember that fox. I believe it was only thinking, not talking, however. :rolleyes:

[gimli7410]

yay thrush :D

[Lizra]

Originally posted by Fat middle
i don't thing that's a good way to analyze The Hobbit, GW.

when reading TH i always keep in mind that it was written by Bilbo and yep, perhaps to be told to the young hobbits, because the mature ones were rather dissapointing...

i think that JRRT showed his mastery in that he create a world begining with the sources. he liked to tell the same story from different points of view, and that gives to his work a rare grade of reality (sub-reality). The hobbit and LOTR are perfectly consistent if you keep in mind who and for whom wrote the books.

BTW, of course there are also talking animals in LOTR: the fox of the Shire.:D

I like that! Different perspectives from different times, and people. A fantastic touch of realism! So perfect! :)