Proliferation of e-mail "stories" make me crazy!

Lately, I have been inundated with people sending me inspirational stories that are being passed off as Truth. With a simple "Google Search" (don't you just love how Google became a verb? Just "Google it"), more often than not, I find that it's false.

Most recently, I received a message about a mother bird that gave her life to protect 3 chicks during a forest fire. According to SNOPES.COM and TRUTHORFICTION.COM, this story is FALSE.

While this is nothing new, what prompted me to write this blog entry was this: When looking up the story, trying to verify it's authenticity, I came across the exact story PUBLISHED IN REAL BOOKS! I also came across it on line in many blogs, etc. When I wanted to post a comment, I had to "sign up" for the privilege...I have enough logins, etc., to want to create several more, even if they are free.

Please, take the time to verify your messages before sending them on.
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/birdwing.asp
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/m/motherbird.htm

Below, you will find the text as I received it:
God's Wings -A little something to put things in perspective...After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park , forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhatsickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon herbabies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small bo dy, the mother had remained steadfast ...because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.'He will cover you with His feathers,And under His wings you will find refuge.'(Psalm 91:4)Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.