Then, one terrible night, a furious storm swept through the village.
The wind howled like a hungry wolf, and the snow fell thick and fast.
The next morning, the villagers awoke to a sad sight.
Their big grain storage, where they kept all the wheat and oats for the long winter, had been completely destroyed.
Its roof was gone, and the precious grains were scattered and ruined.
A terrible fear settled over the village. “We will starve,” they cried. “There is no food left before spring!”
Tomas watched the villagers with a heavy heart.
Suddenly, his crow, who had been watching from a high branch, gave a loud, clear caw.
It was a special sound, a call that echoed through the bare trees.
From every direction, hundreds and hundreds of birds began to appear.
Big birds, small birds, birds of every color and song, all flew towards the village, answering the crow's call.