1. Two Parrots

Once there lived two beautiful parrots named Radha and Potthapada. They played, screeched and traveled to far placed in search of food.

One day when they flew away for finding food, they saw a beautiful garden. The garden had many fruit trees, a small pond of waters and various cultivated vegetables.

The parrots were pleased to see the garden and flew into the garden.

However they were unaware that the garden was in the King's palace and has a trap laid. Before they could eat any fruit, the parrots were caught in a trap laid near the guava tree. 

When the parrots were brought before the king, he was wonder stuck to see the birds. He asked his men to keep the birds in a gold cage. The parrot were kept with care and fed with food they liked. The parrots were very charming and allured everyone towards them. They talked with the members of royal family including the king and other people in the palace. Everyone became fond of them, and admired them. The birds too enjoyed the life in the palace and liked the people around them.

One day the king and his men went out for hunting. They returned with an ugly ape named Kalabahu. He was unusually huge and revealed various antics which made people laugh. Thus people began to show interest in it and their attention from parrots withered away. They were not only neglected, but the attendants even forgot to gave them food and water.

The parrots became very sad. The younger parrot, Potthapada said, 'Brother, we are neglected and dishonored here. They do not come to us anyone to give us food timely or talk to us as they earlier did. I think we should quit this cage'.

The elder parrot, Radha was patient and wise. He said, 'Little brother, do not be sad. Praise, blame, attention, dishonor and honor are facets of life. They blemish with time. People need some change and when they become tired seeing the ape and its same antics, they will leave him soon'.

Few weeks passed. As the ape came to know that people fondle him he became arrogant and more mischievous. He often scared the people of the palace by grinning. He jumped wildly in the cage disturbing people around. He screeched loudly and hooted madly when the people slept. His mischievous acts became offensive and one day the KBG asked his men to leave the ape back in the forest where they brought it from.

After the ape left the palace, the song of parrots reverberated across the palace wall, and people once again turned to the beautiful brother birds in the golden cage. They smiled again and the birds cheered them.

The wise parrot, Radha was Lord Buddha in his earlier birth.

Moral: True worth and abilities never recede or go in vain.