Today begins those conventionally called "the days of the Merla" , which go from 29 to 31 January . Respecting tradition, over most of Italy the cold will be intense with temperatures below zero in the centre-north.
But what do the legends tell ? The most famous one recalls that blackbirds once had a white plumage , then, taking refuge in a warm chimney due to a particularly cold January, they turned black as we see them today.
Then there is a "Sardinian" version, which refers to "sas dies imprestadas" , the "borrowed" days. A shepherd boy, the story goes, had boasted of the good quality of his pasture during the winter which until 29 January had been merciful. Then the month of January had become furious and had asked for two days on loan in February, to bring down the big frost. Indeed, the days had been cold enough to kill the shepherd's sheep, all but one that had hidden under a pot used to make cheese.
Since then January has 31 days, February remained with 28.
(Unioneonline/ss)
