1.17 Panchtantra - How The Sparrow Came To Grief

One upon a time in a far forest there lived a troop of monkeys. One winter night was terribly cold and then it began to rain heavily. The monkeys were drenched and grew miserable due to chilling cold. They began looking out for a way to protect themselves.

It was then some younger members of their troop saw brightly colored gunja fruits. The monkeys thought that they were embers of fire and began blowing at them to make fire.

A bird who nested on a nearby tree had been watching the monkeys. She thought of helping the monkeys understand their muff and said, 'It is not firewood. You are mistaking these gunja fruits for ember. They cannot be burned for making fire'.

But the monkeys continued working around the ganja fruits to make fire.

Seeing this, the bird further advised the monkeys, 'It is getting colder. I would advise you not to waste your time and effort, rather look to find shelter in a cave where you can protect yourself from this cold weather and heavy rain'

But the monkeys were arrogant. They ignored the bird. An old member of the troop, fumed and shrieked, 'You meek fellow, rest in your nest and need not tell us what to do".

But the bird was worried for monkeys as it was getting colder. So she flew to the monkeys and reiterated that they should find a cave for sheltering. The bird tried again and when the monkey gave no ear to her advise, she humbly approached them closely.

The monkeys were not only agitated by what the bird has been insisting on, rather they were frustrated by their vague attempts to kindle fire in the miserable cold. Suddenly, one of the monkeys near whom the bird sat, caught hold of her and smashed her mercilessly on a stone. The petty little bird cried in agony and died.

Moral: Do not advise fools.