Once a rich man was walking down a garden. He saw a little bird in a net. He decided to keep the bird for himself and removed the bird from the net and caught it tightly. He was stunned when the bird spoke in human language. “Please give me my freedom.”
The man was shocked as he stared at the talking bird.
The bird continued. “I am too small for you. I cannot sing like other birds. And I do not have beautiful feathers either. I am too small to provide you with nourishment. So please let me go and if you do so I will teach you three wise teachings."
The rich man decided to let the bird go but with a caveat. “Let me hear your words of wisdom and if it teaches me anything, I will give you your freedom.”
The little bird nodded. “First, do not grieve over things that have already happened. Second, do not wish for something that cannot be attained and third, do not believe in that which is not possible.”
The rich man was shocked when he heard the words of the bird. “You have taught me something important today. And I will give you your freedom.”
As soon as the rich man let the bird go, the bird flew as far away from the merchant and settled on a nearby tree with thick branches, from where it could not be seen.
That was when the merchant heard wild laughter from the bird.
Adapted from Polish Fairy Tales
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