Wings of Kindness

On one fall day, a strong wind went through the woods, covering the sky with clouds, as trees were bending and flying in the gusts. The storm raged on, a crow soaring overhead, lost before it was caught on the branch of a gnarled old oak tree, shrieking as its body tumbled to the ground with one wing dragging uselessly behind.

The crow tried to puff up its feathers to stand against the force, but soon it was in sharp pain all over its body and discovered that it could not rise by itself. It looked up toward the sky and the other circling birds, with hope.

''Help, I can't fly.''

When another bird flew past and saw the crow, it pecked at it.

''You were always so proud, your head in the sky, always mocking us. Now, you seek our help?''

A blackbird and other birds flew by after, all turning away, either in disgust or indifference.

The crow hung its head low, feeling alone, starving, and aching, when it sank into despair.

But a little voice came out of a bush nearby.

''If my little strength does not frighten you, I will help you.''

A tiny sage sparrow came as one with a morsel of raisin in its beak. It gave the crow a drop of water, it made a shelter out of dry leaves, and it made a little nest at the roots of the tree.

''Why are you helping me?''

''Because you are alive. If I had fallen, I would hope somebody didn't stomp on me.''

Time passed. The crow could not move, and the sparrow did not give up. It offered bites of food, stories of life in the woods, and warmth on cold nights. When at last the crow stroked out with its wings again, its first thought was for no more than its nothing self, but for the small companion that had grown dearer than anyone else.

Spring had flung itself open early, flooding the forest with light and sounds. But one day, when the sparrow was scratching around in a bush for seeds, a hawk appeared. But the moment was all too fleeting, and there was no time for a scream.

But suddenly, a black figure fell from the sky. The majestic, powerful crow leapt into action, its wings roaring through the air. The hawk they charged at and chased it away.

''You rescued me,'' the sparrow said.

''No, you saved me first,'' said the crow. ''I have learned that people who do not have wings are not mean. It was: ''A heart can be enormous, even when no bigger than a pea.

Moral:

Do not make the mistake of underestimating those who are weaker than you. At times, the one you call a small one can be your best friend. Gifts of kindness given freely without attachment to return will return in amazing and unexpected ways, especially when you are in need.