How the Cardinal Got its Red

Oh best beloved, a long time ago, there was a baby cardinal who didn’t look anything like the one we see today, you see cardinals were first white and they loved it that way... Now, back to the baby

He was very, very curious and naughty. When he had to go off on his own, his mother said “Dear boy, remember when you find yourself a mate, remember to make sure she doesn’t pick an apple tree to nest on. If you do all of us cardinals will turn red and that color will never change.” The baby cardinal listened then flew off with a wave.

There was only one problem: he mated one year later! So he forgot to tell his mate to not lay eggs in an apple tree! So soon enough all the cardinals were red and that best beloved, is how the cardinal got its red!