The Willow-Wren by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

In former days every sound still had its meaning and application. When the smith's hammer resounded, it cried, "Strike away! strike away. " When the carpenter's plane grated, it said, "Here goes! here goes. " If the mill wheel began to clack, it said, "Help, Lord God! help, Lord God! " And if the miller was a cheat and happened to leave the mill, it spoke high German, and first asked slowly, "Who is there? Who is there? " and then answered quickly, "The miller! the miller! " and at last quite in a hurry, "He steals bravely! he steals bravely! three pecks in a bushel."

At this time the birds also had their own language which every one understood; now it only sounds like chirping, screeching, and whistling, and to some like music without words. It came into the bird's mind, however, that they would no longer be without a ruler, and would choose one of themselves to be their King. One alone amongst them, the green plover, was opposed to this. He had lived free, and would die free, and anxiously flying hither and thither, he cried, "Where shall I go? where shall I go? " He retired into a solitary and unfrequented marsh, and showed himself no more among his fellows.