The Hunter, the Wise Bird, and the Unused Principles

- Ravi Ila Bhatt

In the dense jungle near the village of Ratanpur, lived a trapper named Kishan. One day, Kishan caught an old, dull-feathered Shikra (hawk).

The bird spoke, "O Kishan! I am frail and useless. Don't waste time on me. If you grant me freedom, I will reveal three vital principles of life."

Kishan, seeing no value in the old bird, agreed to the exchange. "What are the rules?"

The Shikra replied, "I share the first principle while in your hand, the second when I am on that peepal tree, and the third only when I am flying high above."

Kishan accepted. The Shikra, still in his grasp, delivered the first teaching: "The First Principle: Never lament what is gone. Focus your efforts and joy entirely on the present moment."

Recognizing the truth, Kishan released the bird. It flew to the Peepal tree and spoke the second teaching: "The Second Principle: Never believe anything that defies reason or logic, no matter how tempting the promise."

The bird then soared high into the sky. From a great height, it called down, "Foolish Kishan! You lost a fortune! I had two enormous diamonds hidden inside my tiny body. Had you killed me, you would have been the richest man in Ratanpur!"

Kishan instantly erupted in deep sorrow and regret. He cursed his lack of foresight and pleaded tearfully, "O Wise Bird! I beg you! At least tell me the third principle!"

The Shikra's voice echoed back, "You have proven why the third is wasted on you. You immediately broke both principles! I told you to forget the past, yet you are consumed by regret for releasing me. I told you not to believe the illogical, yet you believed a small, old bird could hold two giant diamonds!"

"Go, Kishan! The third principle is reserved for those who master the first two. True wisdom is practicing what you learn." And the bird flew out of sight.

Moral

We must practice the basic principles of controlling our emotions (letting go of the past) and using our reason (avoiding blind belief) before we can hope to achieve higher understanding.