The Brave Little Parrot

The Brave Little Parrot (Source: Buddhist Legend)

The story teaches us that courage is the most powerful weapon in danger. The story also teaches that if we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others, god will help in our effort to accomplish our task.

b. Write the four levels of interacting with the text “The Brave little parrot”.

Literal Comprehension: Once Buddha was born as a little parrot. In the forest, various animals and birds lived. While all the creatures were having a happy life, a storm and lightening turned the forest into fire. Helpless animals and birds were trapped in the fire. It was a terrible picture where birds and animals were crying for help. Seeing that situation the little parrot started to put out the fire by dipping into the river and spreading the drops of water into the fire. Though it burnt all parts of his body the parrot still continued doing the work. Seeing such foolishness of parrot Gods in heaven laughed. But one of the Gods became ready to help him by changing himself into a golden eagle. The parrot didn’t like the eagle’s advice but rather helped when the eagle told the parrot to stop doing that work. So, the eagle began to weep weave upon weave until the fire was put out completely. By the mercy of God, all the animals and plants were saved in that forest and there was greenery everywhere. All the animals expressed their gratitude to the brave little parrot that saved them.

Interpretation: Since the story is based on Buddhist Legend it tells much about human kindness, love and help. It tells us we should love and help as far as we can selflessly. If we do selfless help, God loves us. Again, another meaning can be that we should always struggle a lot whether it is fruitful or not. Keep on struggling but don't expect the fruit is its lesson. The good deeds of the parrot are praiseworthy and are seen by the god as well. Those who have experienced a bitter life or suffering can understand others well. So rich and aristocratic people never understand the actual pain of poor and common people.

Critical thinking: The story teaches us to do selfless service and help others as a moral lesson. Though in philosophy such a concept is suitable and impressive but in our practical life such feeling is impossible because people don't have strong faith in God. Some disagreeing points are: (a)  Is it possible for a man to be born as a parrot? (b) Do we really believe in the existence of god? (c) Can pouring tears put out a forest fire? Besides these some of the confusing points the story has praiseworthy ideas. Teaching human to help others selflessly and be kind and helpful are humane. This aspect of this story is really acceptable and heart-touching.

Assimilation : I got extremely influenced after reading the story "The Brave Little Parrot" and knew that we must be like the little parrot. While innocent and poor people are doing honest and dutiful work but so called reach people do everything with selfish motives. Rich people are indifferent to the suffering of the poor. Still, the right conduct of a parrot teaches us more to do similar types of behaviors in our life as well. If we help others without selfish nature, there will be someone ready to help us. These concepts germinated or came into me after reading this mythological story "The Brave Little Parrot"