"Mael, fear not!"

The holy man, dazzled by a vivid light, inebriated by a delicious
odour, recognised the angel of the Lord, and prostrated himself with his
forehead on the ground.

The angel continued:

"Mael, know thy error, believing that thou wert baptizing children of
Adam thou hast baptized birds; and it is, through thee that penguins
have entered into the Church of God."

At these words the old man remained stupefied.

And the angel resumed:

"Arise, Mael, arm thyself with the mighty Name of the Lord, and say to
these birds, 'Be ye men!'"

And the holy Mael, having wept and prayed, armed himself with the mighty
Name of the Lord and said to the birds:

"Be ye men!"

Immediately the penguins were transformed. Their foreheads enlarged and
their heads grew round like the dome of St. Maria Rotunda in Rome. Their
oval eyes opened more widely on the universe; a fleshy nose clothed the
two clefts of their nostrils; their beaks were changed into mouths, and
from their mouths went forth speech; their necks grew short and thick;