After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park.

The 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.

Somewhat sickened 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.

The mother had remained steadfast.

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)