In the heart of a bustling forest unfolded a captivating forest animal friendship story involving a chirpy sparrow, a diligent woodpecker, and a sly snake.
The tiny sparrow named Chirpy, was close friends with a woodpecker named Woody. Their friendship was as unique as it was strong.
One day, a sly snake named Slick entered their peaceful habitat. Slick, notorious for his deceptive tactics, craved bird eggs. Discovering Chirpy’s nest full of eggs, he saw an opportunity, but he also noticed Woody’s protective nature towards Chirpy.
Instead of attacking directly, Slick decided to use Woody to his advantage. He approached Woody, saying, “Woody, I’ve found a tree trunk teeming with the juiciest grubs. It’s a feast fit for a king!” Knowing that Woody couldn’t resist grubs, his favourite food, he added, “I can show you, but could you keep Chirpy away from her nest for a while? I want to play a little prank on her.“
Woody, enticed by the promise of grubs, agreed. He found Chirpy foraging for food and said, “Chirpy, I found a new field with the tastiest berries! Let’s go there together.“
But Chirpy was no fool. She had noticed Slick whispering with Woody earlier and grew suspicious. Instead of following Woody, she decided to fly back and check her nest.
To her horror, she found Slick slithering towards her nest. She quickly swooped down, pecking fiercely at Slick. Startled and injured, Slick quickly retreated.
When Woody returned, expecting to share a laugh with Slick about the prank, he found an angry Chirpy instead. “Woody, you chose grubs over the safety of my eggs!” Chirpy scolded.
Woody was filled with regret and guilt. He apologized, “Chirpy, I didn’t know about Slick’s real intention. I am sorry!“
But the damage had been done. The friendship was tarnished. Woody’s momentary greed had led to a breach of trust, and Chirpy no longer considered him a friend.
This tale epitomizes Mitra Bhedha, the Loss of Friends. It teaches us to prioritize the safety and well-being of friends over temporary personal gains. It’s a solemn reminder that loyalty and trust form the cornerstone of a true friendship.
