The Baby Quail That Could Not Fly Away
[The Power of Truth, Wholesomeness
and Compassion]
Long, long ago, the Bodhisattva was born as a tiny quail. As
he was still a baby, his parents worked hard to bring food to the nest, and
feed him from their beaks. Every year, forest fires would rage in that part of
the world. It happened that a fire soon started in this story. All the birds
flew away at the first sign of smoke. But the baby quail’s parents stayed with
him even as the fire spread. However, in order to save their own lives, they
too, had to fly away when the fire got too close to their nest. All trees, big
and small, were burning and crackling loudly. The little one saw that
everything was being destroyed by the fire that raged uncontrollably.
He could
do nothing to save himself. At that moment, he was overwhelmed by a feeling of
helplessness. Then it occurred to him that his parents loved him very much.
“They built a nest for me lovingly, and then unselfishly fed me. When the fire
spread, they remained with me until the very last moment. All the other birds that could, had
flown away a long time ago. “So great was the loving-kindness of my parents,
that they stayed and risked their lives, but still they were unable to save me.
Since they could not carry me, they were helplessly forced to fly away alone. I
thank them from the bottom of my heart, no matter where they are, for loving me
so. I hope they will be safe, well and happy.
“Now I am all alone. There is no one I can go to for help. I
have wings, but I cannot fly away. I have feet, but I cannot run away. But I
can still think. I can use my mind - a mind that remains pure. The only beings
I have known in my short life are my parents, and my mind is filled with
loving-kindness towards them. As I have not done anything unwholesome to
anyone, I’m filled with purity and the innocent truthfulness of a newborn.” Suddenly,
an amazing miracle took place. The purity and innocent truthfulness grew and grew
until it became larger than the little baby bird. The knowledge of truth spread
beyond that one lifetime, and all of a sudden, the baby quail knew many of his
previous births. In a previous birth, he knew a Buddha, a fully enlightened
knower of Truth - one who had the power of Truth, the purity of wholesomeness,
and the purpose of compassion. “May this
very young innocent truthfulness be united with that ancient purity of wholesomeness
and the power of Truth. May all birds and other beings, who are still trapped by
the fire, be saved. And may this spot be safe from fire for a million years!”
thought the tiny baby quail compassionately. And so it was.
0 Response to "Story The Baby Quail That Could Not Fly Away ( 35 )"
Post a Comment