The Bird On The High Hills
In a forest of pine trees atop the Hangi hills dwelt a wonderful bird. Merchants, king's officers, and travelers who passed through the forest were charmed to hear the birds singing. There was some magic in the bird's voice which kept a listener happy for days together. The king of the land heard about the strange bird. He said, "Only if I could get it, I could live a happier life." Those who heard the king express such a desire were sure of a handsome reward only if they could capture the bird for the king. Some of them went atop the hills and passed a long time looking for the bird But they could not see even a feather of it. Some fellows who thought themselves clever caught other birds and carried them to the king. They were punished for trying to deceive the king. Below the hills, in a small hamlet, lived a young man.
He often passed hours on the hills, listening to the bird. He loved it very much. Once in awhile the bird flew down and perched on his shoulder! It was so beautiful! The young man was now in two minds. He knew that he could perhaps take hold of the bird and present it to the king. That would bring him the reward; all his difficulties would be over. But would that be good for the bird? He climbed the hills and roamed about, thinking deeply whether to look for the bird or not. Suddenly he heard the familiar sound of the bird. Next, the bird flew down and sat on his shoulder. "I know what you are thinking. Well, let me narrate to you an incident. If you do not feel sorry about it, I shall go with you. But if you give vent to sorrow, I shall fly away," proposed the bird. The young man agreed to the condition. The bird then narrated the following story: Once upon a time there was a hunter who had a dog that was extremely faithful to him. One day, while the hunter and his dog were returning from the forest they met a trader. His cart, loaded with bags of silver, had stopped because one of its wheels had broken. The trader requested the hunter to stand guard on his wealth for an hour so that he could visit the nearby village and find out someone to repair his cart. The hunter agreed to oblige him. But the trader took a long time to return and the hunter had an important work to do in the evening. He directed his dog to guard the cart and left the scene. A little later the trader came back. Pleased with the dog, he gave it a chunk of silver. The dog returned to his master at night, the silver held in its mouth.
On seeing the dog returning with the silver evil suspicion entered the hunter's mind. He thought that the dog had stolen the silver and run away from its duty. Furious, he beat it to death. "What a pity! The poor dog was not only innocent but also so faithful!" commented the young man. "I see that you feel sorry about the dog. Hence, let me go," said the bird and he flew away. The young man had come halfway down the hill. He went up again, and again the bird hopped down to his shoulder. "Let me narrate to you yet another incident, on the same condition" And it told the following story: There was no rain overland for a whole year. A farmer went out in search of an area where there would be enough water. He roamed about for long and entered a forest. He could hear the sound of a flowing stream. But he was too tired and thirsty to look for it. He sat down in the shadow of rock for rest. He saw drops of water falling from the rock overhead. Thinking that some water had strayed from the mainstream, he collected the drops in a leaf.
But, just as he would drink from the leaf, a little bird made a dive towards it and toppled the leaf along with its content. The farmer flew into a rage and hit the bird with a stone, killing it at once. Then he found the stream and quenched his thirst. But as his eyes went to the top of the rock, he saw a terrible snake lying there. What he thought to be drops of water were drops of poison overflowing the snake's fang. "How sad that he killed the bird which saved his life!" exclaimed the young man. The bird on his shoulder tittered and said, "Now, you see, that we beasts and birds are never properly understood by human beings. They treat us cruelly at the slightest pretext. Do you still want me to live in the king's court? Won't you rather have me sing to you and other travelers at my free will?" "Yes, yes, please continue to be here in the forest. Your friendship is my greatest reward. I want no prize from the king," said the young man. The bird flew away into the green woods and sang for a long time.
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