" Under her breath she prayed blessings upon the heads of the Pins continually. Continually? Why, she had never ceased to pray for them since their birth. With words she was constructing a defense around them, against danger, against disease, against ill will, against misfortune. All alone, in the secret of her soul, she was building their peace and their good growth—and that with words. "

― Walter Wangerin Jr. , The Book of the Dun Cow (Chauntecleer the Rooster, #1)