Once upon a time, there was a king who had no children. He lived in a grand palace with his wife, but often wondered, “Who will succeed me when I’m gone?” Eventually, they were blessed with a son, and they showered him with love and care. The boy had everything he could ever need—servants to attend to him, playmates, and an endless supply of toys. They even created a beautiful garden for him to enjoy, though the adults always made sure he stayed within the palace walls.
One day, for reasons unknown, the little prince was left alone in the garden. Seizing the opportunity, he darted toward the open gate and found himself outside, wandering the streets, chasing butterflies, picking flowers, and tossing stones. He soon came across a river, its water sparkling in the sunlight. “How clear the water is! I wonder where it leads,” he mused. As he gazed at the river, a devil appeared on the opposite bank, grinning wickedly. “What luck!” he thought. “A meal has come to me without any effort.” The devil prepared to strike.
But just as the devil lunged, a magnificent black bird with blue wings swooped down from the sky, grabbing the boy and flying away. The devil, furious at losing his prey, bellowed, “Give him to me, bird! Give him to me, and I’ll reward you with a stalk of corn!” The little prince, still terrified, began to sing in a high-pitched voice, “Save me, bird, save me, and I’ll give you a barrel of gold!”
Back at the palace, chaos erupted. The queen was beside herself, and the entire court scrambled to find the missing child. Suddenly, the bird landed on the palace steps, gently placing the little prince down. Everyone gathered in awe, marveling at the bird’s immense wingspan. The child was safely returned, and the palace was filled with joy.
The queen, overwhelmed by the bird’s bravery, exclaimed, “What can we give you in return for saving my son?” The little prince, remembering his promise, said, “I promised it a barrel of gold if it saved me.” The queen smiled, “Of course! We’ll give it whatever it wants.” But the bird declined the gold. “Instead,” it said, “I would like a room in the palace. Every night I will sleep there, and every morning I will leave to continue my work.” The queen, astonished, agreed, “Oh, that’s no trouble at all. Is there nothing else you need?”
The bird shook its head. “No, that will be enough.”
So, a room was prepared for the bird, and every night it returned to rest in the palace. Each morning, it ventured into the mountains, and no one dared harm it. In fact, the people of the kingdom placed yellow corn in the yard for it to eat. The story of the brave black bird with blue wings quickly spread throughout the land, and everyone knew how it had saved the little king.
As for me, I was just passing by when I received a little nudge, dropping me here to share this tale with you.
Context and Lesson:
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This story can be seen as a classic folktale with themes of gratitude, the importance of promises, and the idea of reciprocal kindness.
Gratitude and Reward: The bird’s intervention in saving the young king demonstrates the importance of kindness and the expectation of a reward for good deeds. Even though the bird did not ask for money, it was given a reward—showing that gratitude does not always need to be transactional but can be based on mutual respect and recognition.
The Value of Promises: The little king’s promise to the bird is honored, even though he was in a dangerous situation. The act of promising and then keeping that promise teaches the lesson of integrity and responsibility.
The Power of Generosity: Despite the bird being powerful and able to save the little king on its own, it asks for a place to rest, not for a fortune. This suggests that sometimes, what is needed for peace and comfort is not material wealth, but simple provisions and respect. The bird’s humility contrasts with the greed of the devil, reinforcing the idea that humility and good deeds are more powerful than selfishness and greed.
Transformation Through Kindness: The story also points to how acts of kindness transform people. The bird’s kindness results in it becoming an honored guest in the palace, and its humble request is accepted without hesitation. This highlights how kindness can create lasting relationships and trust.
Ultimately, the story teaches about the importance of compassion, the value of keeping one’s word, and the recognition that not all rewards come in material forms; sometimes, respect and kindness are the greatest rewards.
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