Publisher's Synopsis
Well, I've been commissioned to tell a story, to report on an experience, on a journey. I'd like to do that, because that's what you become
not asked every day. Especially not when one is notorious for being garrulous, mendacious, deceitful and vain.
But these are prejudices that I can't give much credit to. Besides, I was chosen by fate. My name is Festina - Festina Lente's full name - I'm 47 centimeters tall and black from head to toe, although iridescent to violet-blue vividly; I only have a whitish gray spot on the front of my face. Many people mistake me for a raven, but in fact I am a crow, or more precisely: a rook, Corvus frugilegus, as the experts say in Latin.
You're amazed, aren't you? You wouldn't have thought that you were dealing with a crow, but that's the way it is.
We rooks are actually social animals and we are useful because we search the soil for snails and insects. But to be honest, I don't think much of either of them. My diet is vegetarian, grains and baked, and I've been used to being alone since I was little.
Not all alone.
This brings me to a confession that I have to make here at the beginning. This is not difficult for me because I have now overcome the problem in question. Also, some important parts of my story are related to this problem.
