About Author
The tale “The Brave Little Parrot” has been adopted by Rafe Martin from the Buddhist Legend.
Born: 1January 1st, 1946 (age 76 years), New York, United States
Education: University of Toronto
Summary
Once, long ago, the Buddha was born as a little parrot. One day, a storm fell upon his forest lightning flashed, thunder crashed and the dry trees burst into flames. Terrified animals ran wildly, seeking safety from the flames and dense smoke.
The brave little parrot was traumatized by the scene He wanted to save the animals. He dived into the river and carried some droplets of water to sprinkle them over the burning forest. But the water used to disappear on the way. The little parrot didn’t keep silent. He went on flying towards the river and back to the forest continuously. His feet were burnt, his lungs ached and eyes turned red. The parrot was alone, but he did not forget his duty. The gods on the other hand were laughing at his foolish work. They didn’t believe that small droplets of water would make the forest fire ie. But one of the gods disguised himself as an eagle and met the brave little parrot. He advised the little parrot not to be foolish because the time was to save own self. The parrot replied that he was not on need of advice that he was not on need of advice rather he was searching for a help that would be more crucial. The scene was so disastrous. There were many animals dying but the gods in the sky were laughing at the foolish idea of the parrot pouring droplets of water from high above into the burning forest. Feeling ashamed, one of the god, an eagle began to cry and made the river of tears flow down into the fire. After a while, the fire died. The sky was clear. Still the little brave parrot was carrying water in its wings and feathers. All the animals were astonished. They were expressing their joy. They could see their brave friend soaring high in the sky.
Four Levels of Story
1. Literal Comprehension
Once Buddha was born as a parrot. A lot of animals in the forest were suffocated because of fierce fire. Many animals died because they got no chance to make a narrow escape. The little parrot wanted to save them by carrying water i its wings and pouring it into the fire. He went on carrying water from the river. But the gods from the palace laughed at his foolish job, One of the gods came near by the parrot and advised him not to do so because the droplets of water wouldn’t make the fire die. And the time was so important to save himself. But the parrot replied that he was in need of help, not advice. Feeling ashamed the god disguised as an eagle, began to cry and made a river of tear down into the fire. The fire was put out. All the animals were amazed by a miraculous rain.
2. Interpretation
Obviously, the continuous drop of water can break huge stone. Courage and sacrifice brings a fruitful consequences. The brave little parrot, in a story is the symbol of patience and endurance. The story makes us believe that if we are dutiful and altruistic, there is someone to unlock our obstacles. There is god to assist us. Selfless man always gets victory.
3. Critical Thinking
Despite being a story of a moral theme, the readers can’t remain even an arm length away from confusions. One spontaneously gets perplexed and when he reads about a parrot incarnation of the Buddha. He easily ask a question, how can a man disguise himself as a bird? Does god really exist? The parrot shouts fire? This is also untrustworthy. How can a bird or an animal speak like that of human being? Can the tears again that of an eagle make a stream? What a joke? On the other hand, how do once already dead animals be alive again? All these matters make the readers feel difficulty to accept the story. More importantly, if the parrot was an incarnation of the Buddha, why couldn’t he save the jungle from such disaster before it caught fire?
4. Assimilation
The story has won my heart. As soon as I finished reading the story. I happened to reverberate the event that took place some years ago. It was almost very dark night. Some house in my village were buried in landslide. If some people made a narrow escape, other stuck in heavy stones and mud. They were crying for help. For a while, I hesitated but I thought about my duty. I went on throwing the stones and mud that was over the domestic animals and my villagers. Some of the villagers laughed at me whereas, other suggested me to save myself. I shouted and informed them that I was in need of their help not suggestions. Soon they realized and joined me. After a while, we found all the villagers. We saved finally, so, in this way I found myself as a brave little parrot. It is clear that great men are never selfish.