Once upon a time, in a jungle was a huge banyan tree, on which lived a squirrel and a cuckoo bird, both being new acquaintances. The squirrel and cuckoo would start their day finding food. The squirrel would munch on the nuts from a nearby tree, which were often tough to crack. The cuckoo, on the other hand would peck on any fruit whichever came it's way, and was contended with it. The squirrel would, then check the security of its nest, and looking after its children, while cuckoo would sit on its favourite branch and keep on humming in its mellifluous call.
The time passed by, their friendship grew stronger and they started sharing their thoughts too.
And with passing time, due to some unknown reason, cuckoo's songs were no longer enthusiastic, so one day, squirrel asked the bird- "friend, i couldn't help noticing it, but you look sad, and restless for past few weeks, is there anything bothering you?"
"Nothing i can think of. But it's true that something tells me that i'm not feeling well, mostly, i try to sing, but i don't find it interesting either. I realised that most part of this jungle where we live is full of non- living beings; trees, grass, stone and others. What difference would it make to them even if i cease to exist? They won't remember me; for if i was a thief, or if i was a good doer. I feel less and less interested in this world and its misery. Somehow, i feel i'm trapped in this black feathered body for no reason, and that my life is without any."
The furry tailed listened to the logic of his friend, "friend, i don't have any idea what you are telling, as i have a family and had no time to wonder about it. What you exclaim could or could not be true. Why don't we go to the wise donkey?"
"The one who lives on the leeward side of the hummock? Do you think he can abate my perplexity?", asked the feathered animal. The squirrel nodded and they started to the cave where the hermit donkey lived. The squirrel was hopping and running, while the bird flew just above the trees.
The old donkey saw two creatures coming to his cave. He saw them tired, so he asked them to sit and have some water in the bowl. "What are you seeking?", asked the donkey.
The twitter and the squeaks told him of the problem they were facing. The donkey listened to them, and went into deep thoughts, his head buried deep into his chest.
Finally, with a hum, he said- "I think i can explain this,", turning to the cuckoo, he continued, "How is your schedule?".
The cuckoo- "Eating any fruit which i can see near to the tree, doesn't matter which one, as i don't have any choice in eatin-"
"So you don't go out to find fresh fruits, it is what i assume"
"what is the need as long as i'm getting something near my abode?"
"Make it a point to do so. and in rest of your times, you can, for a starting, teach the squirrel's children how to sing. And get a family for yourself. This is the medicine which you need."
Said cuckoo- "come on friend, let's go."
"you continue, and i'd catch you up soon. I have my own doubts to get cleared."
"okay, see you later", said cuckoo and flew away.
"I want to know the root of his problem", asked the squirrel when cuckoo was not in sight.
The donkey replied- "His problem is his laziness. The reason of his disinterest is not that he's enlightened, but his degenerated self worth. Whenever we work and consummate it, we send ourselves a signal of achievement. This contributes to our self worth. Since you are always doing your work, so this is why you had never fallen prey to ennui and disillusion. He is true that world is largely made up of non- living things which won't bother who we are, even we are alive, and there is actually no eternal meaning to life; but think of the quality of life, as we all are sensitive to emotions. I believe i've resolved your query."
The squirrel, now a bit wiser, nodded.
The cuckoo and the squirrel lived happily ever after on the same banyan tree.
__________________________________________________________________
Post- Script: When the monkey living on the next tree heard of this point from squirrel he remarked- "oh! and I was thinking it wasn't his mating season; was almost about to suggest him to go to hibernation so that i would rest in peace."
The time passed by, their friendship grew stronger and they started sharing their thoughts too.
And with passing time, due to some unknown reason, cuckoo's songs were no longer enthusiastic, so one day, squirrel asked the bird- "friend, i couldn't help noticing it, but you look sad, and restless for past few weeks, is there anything bothering you?"
"Nothing i can think of. But it's true that something tells me that i'm not feeling well, mostly, i try to sing, but i don't find it interesting either. I realised that most part of this jungle where we live is full of non- living beings; trees, grass, stone and others. What difference would it make to them even if i cease to exist? They won't remember me; for if i was a thief, or if i was a good doer. I feel less and less interested in this world and its misery. Somehow, i feel i'm trapped in this black feathered body for no reason, and that my life is without any."
The furry tailed listened to the logic of his friend, "friend, i don't have any idea what you are telling, as i have a family and had no time to wonder about it. What you exclaim could or could not be true. Why don't we go to the wise donkey?"
"The one who lives on the leeward side of the hummock? Do you think he can abate my perplexity?", asked the feathered animal. The squirrel nodded and they started to the cave where the hermit donkey lived. The squirrel was hopping and running, while the bird flew just above the trees.
The old donkey saw two creatures coming to his cave. He saw them tired, so he asked them to sit and have some water in the bowl. "What are you seeking?", asked the donkey.
The twitter and the squeaks told him of the problem they were facing. The donkey listened to them, and went into deep thoughts, his head buried deep into his chest.
Finally, with a hum, he said- "I think i can explain this,", turning to the cuckoo, he continued, "How is your schedule?".
The cuckoo- "Eating any fruit which i can see near to the tree, doesn't matter which one, as i don't have any choice in eatin-"
"So you don't go out to find fresh fruits, it is what i assume"
"what is the need as long as i'm getting something near my abode?"
"Make it a point to do so. and in rest of your times, you can, for a starting, teach the squirrel's children how to sing. And get a family for yourself. This is the medicine which you need."
Said cuckoo- "come on friend, let's go."
"you continue, and i'd catch you up soon. I have my own doubts to get cleared."
"okay, see you later", said cuckoo and flew away.
"I want to know the root of his problem", asked the squirrel when cuckoo was not in sight.
The donkey replied- "His problem is his laziness. The reason of his disinterest is not that he's enlightened, but his degenerated self worth. Whenever we work and consummate it, we send ourselves a signal of achievement. This contributes to our self worth. Since you are always doing your work, so this is why you had never fallen prey to ennui and disillusion. He is true that world is largely made up of non- living things which won't bother who we are, even we are alive, and there is actually no eternal meaning to life; but think of the quality of life, as we all are sensitive to emotions. I believe i've resolved your query."
The squirrel, now a bit wiser, nodded.
The cuckoo and the squirrel lived happily ever after on the same banyan tree.
__________________________________________________________________
Post- Script: When the monkey living on the next tree heard of this point from squirrel he remarked- "oh! and I was thinking it wasn't his mating season; was almost about to suggest him to go to hibernation so that i would rest in peace."
1 comment:
This is a nice story nicely potrayed and penned down here... Keep up the gud wrk
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