The Sparrow’s Plea

In the heart of a lush, peaceful forest, where sunlight streamed through tall trees and birdsong echoed in the air, a sparrow and his mate sat together on the branch of a strong, old tree. The morning was calm, and the two little birds chirped softly to each other, enjoying the beauty of the day.

Suddenly, the female sparrow noticed a human walking slowly along the forest path. Her tiny body stiffened with alarm. She had seen what humans could do — how they cut trees, hunted animals, and disrupted peace. She nudged her mate gently and whispered, “Look, someone’s coming. We should fly away. He might harm us.”

The male sparrow looked down. The man walked with elegance, his clothing was clean, his expression gentle, and his steps unhurried. There was no weapon in sight, no anger in his eyes.

“No, dear,” said the male sparrow softly. “He seems noble, perhaps a kind-hearted man. Look at his posture, his clothes. A person who walks with such grace could not wish us harm.”

The female was not convinced. “But appearances can deceive,” she said anxiously. “Please, let’s not take a risk.”

Still, the male sparrow remained calm. He trusted in what he saw and believed that not all humans were dangerous.

But as the man came closer, everything changed in an instant.

With practiced motion, the man pulled a bow and arrow from his side — hidden under his robe. He aimed directly at the birds. Before they could react, the arrow soared through the air and struck the male sparrow, killing him instantly. His small body dropped from the branch, lifeless, to the ground below.

The female sparrow let out a heart-wrenching cry and fluttered down beside her fallen companion. Her heart shattered — not just from loss, but from betrayal. The man who appeared so noble had turned out to be a deceiver — a hunter disguised in the clothing of a gentleman.

Tears welled in her eyes as she mourned. But her sorrow soon turned into resolve. She could not bring her mate back, but she could seek justice.

With a heavy heart, she flew far and wide until she reached the grand court of the forest king — a wise old lion who listened to all creatures fairly. She was granted an audience, and standing before the king and his council, the sparrow told her tale.

The court grew silent. Even the leaves outside seemed to stop rustling, as the little bird's voice trembled with grief. The king, moved by her sorrow and the injustice, sent for the hunter at once.

Soon the man arrived, brought before the court. When questioned, he did not deny his action.

“I am a hunter,” he said plainly. “I do what I have always done. I saw a bird and I shot it.”

The king frowned. “Yet you walked under the guise of a nobleman,” he said. “You deceived those around you, wearing honor while hiding harm. That is not the way of justice. You used deception to gain trust, then took a life. This is no small crime.”

Then, turning to the sparrow, the king said gently, “You have suffered the loss. What punishment do you seek for this man?”

All eyes turned to the sparrow. Many expected her to demand the man’s life in return — to repay death with death.

But the sparrow stood tall, though her heart was heavy. Her voice, though small, was clear and full of wisdom.

“I do not ask for his life,” she said. “Taking another life will not bring back the one I loved. What I ask for is truth — that he no longer hide behind the mask of nobility. If he is truly a hunter, let him dress like one. Let his weapons be visible. Let his nature match his appearance. No more deception. No more pretending to be good while doing harm.”

The king was impressed by the sparrow’s wisdom. “Your words show the depth of your heart,” he said. “And your request is just.”

He turned to the hunter. “From this day forward, you may no longer disguise yourself in the clothing of honor. If you are a hunter, then be seen as one. Let your presence warn others, not deceive them. You may not cloak your arrows with kindness.”

The court agreed, and the hunter was stripped of his disguise and ordered to wear the garb of his true calling.

As the sparrow flew away, her heart still ached, but she carried with her a sense of justice — not through vengeance, but through truth.

Moral of the Story:

Do not judge others by appearances alone, for what seems noble may hide danger. And when wronged, seek justice not with revenge, but with wisdom that can bring lasting change.