Wakening up in the morning to the noisy
chirruping of the birds, the man noticed a broken
egg lying on the ground. It had obviously fallen
from a nest built by sparrows just under the ceiling
of his modest dwelling. Wearily he removed the
broken egg, then, noting with disgust the straws
which were eternally littering his floor, he stood up
on a piece of furniture, and swiped the nest out of
its niche. Then he spent quite some time and effort
cleaning up the whole place.
The very next day, he found more straws dirtying
his newly cleaned floor and, looking up, he saw that
the birds were again building their nest under his
roof. He felt he was going mad with their
chirruping and the perpetual mess they made, so he
destroyed the new nest before it was even half completed.
That way he thought he could drive
them away forever.
But the tragedy of the devastated nest only spurred
the birds on to greater efforts, and showing great
daring, they worked faster then ever. They did not
waste a single moment on lamenting their loss. Nor
did they go away to collect a whole flock of birds to
come and make a united attack on the house owner.
They simply flew to and from the home, quietly and
incessantly picking up fresh straws and fixing them
in position. They did not waste a single moment.
This self-same story was repeated from day to day
for over a month. The house owner would angrily
destroy their home and moments later the sparrows
would reappear with straws in their beaks to begin
their labour all over again. Their efforts seemed
fruitless. Their incessant gathering of straws was
apparently futile. But regardless of consequences,
they went on steadily with their work. It was the
birds’ answer to the unmitigated hatred of the man.
Yet although he was the stronger, they always
seemed somehow to foil him. And, finally their
silent endeavours gained the upper hand. The man
realized that his resistance was futile and he
stopped destroying the nests. Now they have
completed their nest and have successfully laid and
hatched their eggs. Their chirruping no longer
incenses the man. He has simply ceased to mind
them, for they have taught him a priceless lesson -
never hate your enemy. In all circumstances,
persevere steadfastly in constructive activities. In
the end you will emerge victorious.
Ref - The Moral Vision
- by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
