UNITY IS STRENGTH (India)
Once a great famine spread throughout the land of Kashmir. Like a monster it stalked, ate and dried up everything that grew in the land. Lakes and rivers turned dry, animals were no where to be found. Fish died in the sea mysteriously. Not a blade of grass, not a spark of vegetation was there to be seen; and the people were left to languish and die of starvation. Many families were in distress and desperation, for often their loved ones were struck by its cruel hand
.
At this time, there lived a family of four brothers who were determined to leave the land and save their lives. One day they packed up whatever they could carry and left for their journey. They had walked quite a distance when suddenly they came across a spring.
The gently flowing crystal waters invited them to stop and rest for a while. The brothers sat under a big tree with spreading branches providing ample shade. They talked and discussed of many plans about their future and went to sleep.
Around midnight they were awakened by a shrill, menacing cry of a little bird. The elder brother immediately commanded one brother to catch the bird, the second to fetch a knife to kill it and the third to search wood to kindle a fire to cook it.
The three brothers quickly started to obey the elder brother’s instructions. The bird was an intelligent creature and apprehended the elder brother’s commands, he gave to his brothers. While the brothers were away the bird approached the elder brother and said, “Why do you want to catch me and kill me?”
“It is my intention to kill you and then to cook and eat you,” replied the elder brother.
Terrified the bird pleaded with the brother to spare his life. “I will show you a great treasure, if only you refrain fro killing me.” Said the bird.
“very well, I will spare your life if you fulfill the promise,” said the elder brother.
‘I am happy I am able to live. Dig, dig right round the tree and you will be rewarded with a treasure of great value.”
The brothers dug around the place as instructed by the bird and found the treasure. Realizing that they now had enough wealth to live for the future; the brothers decided to get back to their country.
It so happened now, that there was another group of four brothers living in the neighborhood, where the former four brothers settled down. They too were driven to live in great hardship by the famine.
Hearing about the extraordinary manner in which the former four brothers came across their wealth they too decided to visit the spring and collect the wealth. Accordingly these four brothers too went off, found the spring and rested under the shade of the tree. In the night they were awakened by the flapping and warbling of wings by the little bird. They watched with great expectation and curiosity. In the end the elder brother ordered the others to catch and kill, and collect wood to cook the bird
.
The first said, “I cannot go.”
“Why should I fetch a knife? Let another do it, said the second.
“I am too tired to fetch wood, you get it yourself,” said the third.
The bird saw the unwillingness of the brothers to obey the elder brother, and it said,
‘Go back, your errand is in vain. The brothers who preceded you were successful because they were united in their efforts. They had one will, one mind, one ear and one body and succeed they did, where you have failed,” It said, and briskly flew away.
Text from PEACE TALES FROM ASIA......
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