A Tale of Two Birds

T

HERE once lived a bird and her two new-born babies in a

forest. They had a nest in a tall, shady tree and there the

mother bird took care of her little ones day and night.

One day, there was a big storm. There was thunder,

lightning and rain, and the wind blew down many trees. The

tall tree in which the birds lived also came down. A big, heavy

branch hit the nest and killed the bird. Fortunately for the

baby birds, the strong wind blew them away to the other side

of the forest. One of them came down near a cave where a

gang of robbers lived. The other landed outside a

rishi’s

ashram a little distance away.

Days passed and the baby birds became big birds. One

day, the king of the country came to the forest to hunt. He

saw a deer and rode after it. It ran deep into the forest

followed by the king. Soon the king lost his way and didn’t

know where he was.

He rode on for a long time till he came to the other side of

the forest. Very tired by now, he got off his horse and sat

down under a tree that stood near a cave. Suddenly he heard

a voice cry out, “Quick! Hurry up! There’s someone under the

tree. Come and take his jewels and his horse. Hurry, or else

he’ll slip away.” The king was amazed. He looked up and saw

a big, brown bird on the tree under which he was sitting. He

also heard faint noises issuing from the cave. He quickly got

on to his horse and rode away as fast as he could.

Soon, he came to a clearing which looked like an ashram.

It was the

rishi’s ashram. The king tied his horse to a tree

and sat down in its shade. Suddenly he heard a gentle voice

announce, “Welcome to the ashram, Sir. Please go inside and

rest. The

rishi will be back soon. There’s some cold water in

the pot. Please make yourself comfortable.” The king looked

up and saw a big, brown bird in the tree. He was amazed.

‘This one looks like the other bird outside the cave,’ he said

to himself aloud.

“You are right, Sir,” answered the bird. “He is my brother

but he has made friends with robbers. He now talks as they

do. He doesn’t talk to me any more.” Just then the

rishi enteredthe ashram.

“Welcome, Sir,” he said

to the king. “Please come

inside and make yourself

at home. You look tired.

Rest for a while. Then you

can share my food.”

The king told the

rishi

the story of the two birds

and how each had behaved

so differently though they

looked so alike. “The forest

is full of surprises,” he said.

The holy man smiled

and said, “After all, one is known by the company one keeps.

That bird has always heard the talk of robbers. He imitates

them and talks about robbing people. This one has repeated

what

he has always heard. He welcomes people to the ashram.

Now, come inside and rest. I’ll tell you more about this place

and these birds.”