In fact, it was in somewhat more recent times that Emperor Daigo visited his Shinsen-en garden [r. 897–930] and spied there, beside the pond, a white heron. He summoned a chamberlain. “Catch me that heron,” he said, “and bring it here.” How to go about catching it, the chamberlain had no idea, but His Majesty had spoken. The man started toward it. The heron spread its wings, preparing for flight. “I bring you His Majesty’s command,” the chamberlain announced, at which the bird folded its wings and bowed low. The chamberlain picked it up and took it to the emperor. “It is wonderful, indeed,”
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