I STOOD on the edge of a forest, looking out toward a clear sunset sky. Near me, on the the branch of a tree, I observed a majestic eagle.

I was struck with the look of profound melancholy in the great golden eyes, and the dejected aspect of the bird.

“Why are you so sad?” I asked. “Are you not the king of birds? Have you not the freedom of the upper air,—a monarch of the skies? You should be full of pride and rejoicing.”

“Alas!” he replied, “what you say is true; but I lack the most important thing of all.”

“And what is that,” I asked.

“An immortal soul.”

I was silent for a moment, and then said very gently, “But your case is not hopeless. It is possible to acquire an immortal soul.”

The eagle lifted his sunken head and regarded me intently. “Tell me,” he said.

“First of all,” I said, “you would have to give up your individuality. No more would you have the freedom of the skies. You would have to put on a garment of human flesh, you would take upon yourself the burden of human limitations, you would perhaps have to endure much sorrow and pain. The sacrifice would be great.”

“No sacrifice would be too great,” replied the eagle.

After the manner of dreams, the scene changed. I found myself in a room full of people. Much talking and