After consulting Saint Clare and Brother Sylvester about God's will for his life, Francis understood that he was not called to withdraw into solitude, but to travel the world proclaiming the Gospel and helping bring salvation to many people. Filled with enthusiasm, he set out with a few brothers along the roads of Umbria. As they walked between Cannara and Bevagna, they saw a great flock of birds perched in the trees and scattered across the fields. 

Seeing this, Francis felt a deep joy and said to his companions: "Wait for me here; I am going to preach to my brother birds." He approached the birds and began speaking to them of God's love. He reminded them that the Creator had given them wings to fly, trees to nest in, water to drink, and food to sustain them without needing to sow or harvest. He invited them to always praise God and give thanks for all his gifts. According to the Little Flowers, the birds remained still and attentive, and some even came so close they touched the saint's habit. 

When the preaching ended, the birds began to flap their wings and sing joyfully, as if responding to Francis's words. He then blessed them with the sign of the cross, and the birds flew off in different directions. This episode expresses one of Saint Francis's most characteristic teachings: all creation is God's work and forms one great family in which human beings, animals, and nature are called to live in harmony and praise their Creator together.