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India

The Tale of the Two Parrots

Two parrot brothers were ignored when a funny ape arrived at the king's palace but eventually regained their popularity when the ape left.
Patience
Adaptability
Value
Jataka Tales - The Tale of the Two Parrots
Audio available for B1 version

Once, in a place full of beautiful trees and sparkling streams, lived two parrot brothers named Radha and Potthapada. They were curious birds and loved to go on adventures to find tasty treats and discover new places.

One sunny day, they flew into a garden that was even grander than any they'd seen before. But it was not just any garden, it was the king's palace garden! As they were exploring and enjoying the delicious fruits, they were suddenly caught in a trap that was hidden amongst the plants.

Radha and Potthapada were brought in front of the king, who was dazzled by their radiant colors and cheerful chirping. The king liked them so much that he ordered a special cage made of shiny gold just for them. They lived there comfortably, treated with the best food and lots of attention from everyone in the palace.

However, all this changed one day when a big, funny-looking ape named Kalabahu was brought to the palace. Kalabahu was like no other ape anyone had ever seen. He was the biggest and made everyone laugh with his silly actions. Now, all the palace guests were drawn to Kalabahu, and the parrots felt ignored. They were not even getting their food on time.

Feeling sad and neglected, the younger parrot, Potthapada, turned to his elder brother and said, "Radha, I think we should leave. No one cares about us here anymore." But Radha, the wiser brother, reassured him. He said, "Potthapada, don't be so sad. People's opinions change like the wind. Right now, they are amused by the ape, but soon they'll remember how lovely and well-behaved we are."

Just as Radha predicted, things began to change. Kalabahu, the ape, started to act too silly and even caused some trouble. The king and the palace guests found this behavior annoying, and the king decided to send Kalabahu back to the forest.

Once the big, troublesome ape was gone, people started noticing the parrots again. They admired their beauty and loved listening to their sweet songs. And so, Radha and Potthapada became the palace's favorite pets once more, proving that being patient and well-behaved always pays off in the end.

Once upon a sunny day, in a land with trees so awesome you'd wanna hug 'em and rivers that glittered like a treasure chest, two parrot brothers lived the dream. Meet Radha and Potthapada: the superheroes of the snack-hunting and explore-everything world. They had feathers so bright they'd make a rainbow feel shy!

"Our quest for yum-yums never ends!" Radha would announce, taking off from their branch like a rocket. "To the snacks and beyond!" Potthapada would echo, following his brother into the sky.

One day, the sun seemed to be doing a happy dance in the sky, just for them. They found a garden so cool, so fab, so off-the-charts awesome that they had to pinch themselves. Or they would, if they had fingers. "Is this real life, or are we in a movie?" Potthapada wondered aloud.

Hold onto your feathers! Plot twist! This was no ordinary garden. Oh, no, no, no. This was the king's super-special, VIP-only garden! "I hope they've got the kind of fruits that come with a crown," joked Radha, as they started tasting the royal buffet of fruits.

But then, as they were having the time of their lives, SNAP! A trap grabbed them like a game of tag where they were "it." Game over, or so they thought.

Zoom! They were taken right in front of the king, who looked at them and could hardly believe his eyes. "You two are like flying disco balls!" He was so amazed that he yelled, "Let's build 'em a super-sparkly, gold cage!"

So there they were, living the dream. They ate like kings, and everyone who visited couldn't stop talking about them. "Man, Radha, we’re the feathered version of movie stars," Potthapada chirped happily.

But hold on! Enter Kalabahu, a big, goofy-looking ape with a sense of humor as wild as a roller coaster. This guy was the new funny bone in town, making everyone laugh till they cried. Suddenly, the parrots felt like yesterday's pizza—still good but not the first choice.

"Our VIP list is shrinking!" Potthapada sighed, as even their food service got as slow as a snail race. "Is it time to check out and find a new palace?"

"Chill, little bro," Radha reassured him. "Folks change their faves as fast as they change channels. Right now, they're all bananas over the ape. But just you wait, they’ll be back for our 'Parrot Show' real soon!"

Guess who was right? Yup, you got it! Radha was spot-on. Kalabahu started acting way too crazy, like a clown who forgot to stop juggling. Even the king had enough! "Back to your jungle stage, funny guy!"

The minute Kalabahu was gone, guess who got the spotlight again? Our feathered duo, of course! People remembered how amazing they were, how they were like a non-stop party with wings. "See, told ya we're unforgettable!" Radha said, puffing out his chest.

And so, our two parrot brothers went back to being the life of the palace party, reminding everyone that being yourself is the coolest act in town.

Two parrot brothers, Radha and Potthapada,
Roamed the skies, from dawn to sunset's glow.
Seeking new adventures, treats they'd never had,
One day, they stumbled where royal flowers grow.

Amidst the splendor, not knowing where they'd been,
A hidden trap ensnared them, oh so tight!
To the king they were brought, with shimmering sheen,
Dazzling in their colors, a delightful sight.

"Craft a golden cage," the king did decree,
"Feed them the finest, let them sing for me!"
They thrived in the palace, chirping in glee,
Until a new guest arrived, big as can be.

Kalabahu, the ape, full of jest and tease,
Took the palace's attention, as quick as a breeze.
The parrots felt forgotten, in such times as these,
Their daily treats dwindled, and so did their ease.

Young Potthapada, with a sorrowful sigh,
Said, "Radha, it's time for our final goodbye."
But Radha, ever wise, with a twinkle in his eye,
Replied, "Hold on, dear brother, our luck hasn’t run dry."

"Peoples' hearts sway, like leaves on a tree,
Now they love the ape, but soon it'll be we."
As time went on, Kalabahu, as wild as the sea,
Annoyed the king's court, and was set free.

Once more, the parrots took the center stage,
Singing sweetly, in their beautiful cage.
Their patience was their triumph, lessons to engage,
Well-behaved and steadfast, they turned another page.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think Radha, the older parrot, chose to be patient even when they felt ignored at the palace?
  2. How did the behavior of Kalabahu the ape change the way the palace guests felt about him over time?
  3. Can you think of a time when being patient and well-behaved helped you or someone you know?
  4. What lesson does this story teach us about the importance of patience and good behavior?
  5. How can we use the lessons from this story in our daily life to be more patient and behave well, even when it seems difficult?

Fable Quotes

Patience is the key that unlocks recognition, revealing true worth in the eyes of others.
Like the willow in the wind, adapting to change keeps us rooted, yet free to grow.
The essence of value lies not in constant attention, but in enduring appreciation.
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