The "cardinal" virtues are not the same as the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity (Love), named in 1 Corinthians 13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. By not changing the birds environment.
I think that cringe means that a response to embarrasement. But right now in this text I think this word means that they didn't want that to happen. Or they thought that was not good. Hopefully it's right. I mean that's just my opinion. :D
Its important because knowing basic information can help out when doing literature .It gives us more and more information . It would also make things very easier to understand