 Little Parrot loved the jungle. Every morning she would fly over the greenery, look at what lay below, and count herself fortunate to live in such a place. Only when she was sure that all was well did she fly back to earth and eat her breakfast. One morning, while flying overhead, she saw nothing but thick, dark smoke. The jungle was on fire! Little Parrot flew over to the river as fast as her small wings permitted, took a huge gulp of water, flew back to the fire, and spit out the water, trying to quench the massive flames. Back and forth she went, from the river to the fire, from the fire to the river, trying her best to put out the fire though she was very little and could only take tiny gulps each time. She soon became exhausted but kept on going. Her beloved jungle was at risk. As she was flying for the umpteenth time to the river, worried that the jungle would burn before she could put out the fire, she heard a loud laugh. Then she heard a cackling voice say, "You’re a silly parrot. You’re too little to put out such a big fire." Little Parrot looked up and saw Eagle, the largest bird in the jungle. “I don't need advice” she said. “I need help,” then continued flying to the river. The next thing Little Parrot knew, a huge stream of water poured from the skies dousing part of the fire. Little Parrot did not stop to see who was helping her, she just kept flying to the river and back, hoping that with help the fire would soon be put out. When there were no more flames, Little Parrot looked around to see if she could find the source of the help for which she was so grateful. Surprised, she saw that it was Eagle. Though she was utterly depleted, she flew up to Eagle and said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Were it not for you, the fire would still be burning.” “No,” said Eagle, “it is I who must thank you.”
3 Comments
S. Rubin
3/5/2024 06:19:24 am
Wonderful stories that are important reminders of both interdependence and independence. Thank you for sharing! 3/5/2024 08:10:51 am
The three stories are like facets of a stone whose heart is the Little Parrot story. Both my husband and i (we are reading these together) were raised by parents who wanted us to "stand on your own two feet". It was a small learning curve for both of us to ask for - or accept - help. The difference was that our parents would teach us how to stand, or be near by to answer questions. They didn't sit in the lodge and send us out to freeze. Cruelty was not in Eagle's heart either; Eagle only needed a moment's reflection to understand Help. So many people feel like Little Parrot. May we ask our Eagles to help.
Marlene Simon
3/6/2024 03:36:07 pm
I have been going through some challenging times recently where I have had to ask for help and even though it has been extremely difficult for me, it has also been a most heartwarming experience. It has reminded me of my favorite movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," where the wife at the end, asks the community to help her husband, and they do. You could see the joy all around. Leave a Reply. |
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Nancy King is a widely published author and a professor emerita at the University of Delaware, where she has taught theater, drama, playwriting, creative writing, and multidisciplinary studies with an emphasis on world literature. She has published seven previous works of nonfiction and five novels. Her new memoir, Breaking the Silence, explores the power of stories in healing from trauma and abuse. Her career has emphasized the use of her own experience in being silenced to encourage students to find their voices and to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with authenticity, as a way to add meaning to their lives.
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