A
pair of sparrows made their home on a branch of a big tree and lived
happily there. Soon it was winter and it began to rain heavily. Frequent
gusts of wind made the cold unbearable. At this time, a monkey
completely drenched in the rain and shivering from cold, came hurrying
to the tree for cover.
Seeing
the condition of the monkey, the female sparrow said, “Gentleman, with
your feet and hands you seem to be a human being. Why didn't you build a
house for yourself?' Angered by this uncalled for advice, the monkey
said, “you stupid, why do not you shut up and mind your business?' The
monkey told himself, “My, what impudence! This bit of a creature has the
cheek to offer me advice. Makes fun of me. Unnecessary prattle. I must
teach her a lesson. Why shouldn't I kill her?”
Turning
to the sparrow, the monkey said, “How does it help you to worry about my
plight? Haven't you heard this saying of the elders that you should
offer advice to those who seek it and cherish it? Advice to him who is
indifferent is like a cry in the wilderness. Don't try to do that.”
When
the bird persisted, the monkey climbed up the tree and broke up the
nest of the sparrow pair.
