Three Birds, One Fowl

Three birds congregate in the meadow to woo the likings of one fowl.

The first bird, a strong hawk, is so sure of himself. He confidently assumes a stance of magnificence, much like a great marble statue. He is an idol, influential, yet dominating.

The second bird, an honest owl, is knowing, but not. He is not shy to express his mind, speaking of his feats and insecurities equally. He is a gem, resilient, yet fragile.

The third bird, a feeble sparrow, cries for the needing of another. He longs for warmth and comfort, someone to fulfil his aching heart. Like an innocent, loyal, yet reliant.

The fowl, a young and impressionable ladybird, is flustered most by the hawk, admires most the owl, and, is compassionate most towards the sparrow. But heavy weighs the heart. This ladybird is unknowing of which to choose.

A shadowed figure emerges into view of the three birds and the fowl, and asks the fowl, "Why are you so unsure? Surely you should know your heart's desire? Or perhaps, you contemplate regret for deciding wrong".

The fowl sits attentive to this shadowed figure, waiting. But no answer is provided. Instead, the shadowed figure presents a solid stone block and explains this as a seeming solution.

The shadowed figure asks, "Who do you see?". The fowl, confused, does not see anything but a solid stone block. And so, she remains silent without reply.

The shadowed figure then chips away at the stone, soon asking again, "Who do you see?". The fowl is unable to yet see a definite image. However, she envisions the emergence of a magnificent figure as much as the stone still remains. And so, she hesitantly answers, "The hawk...".

The shadowed figure continues to chip away at the stone, soon asking thrice, "Who do you see?". The fowl, now seeing some definitive features carved with much delicacy, confidently smiles and replies, "The owl!".

The shadowed figure then continues to chip away at the stone some more, asking once again, "Who do you see?". The fowl, upset because she thought she had been so sure, now sees a petite and fragile figure. And so responds, "The sparrow".

The shadowed figure, for the final time, chips away at the stone and asks once more, "Who do you see?". The fowl, dumbfounded, sees nothing but dust and stone crumbs. And so, she answers, "Nothing. I see no one...".

The shadowed figure follows to explain, "As one thing began, it became many things. Just like that stone block, it began as nothing. But as the stone was chipped, it soon became many things. Who you are, may not always be who you become." The fowl tries to understand but remains perplexed.

The shadowed figure turns to the three birds and continues, "Just like that stone block, the hawk, the owl, and the sparrow, can too chip away at themselves, moulding themselves anew. And just like them, you too can mould yourself anew."

The fowl, as she begins to understand, asks the shadowed figure, "But heavy still weighs my heart. Which do I choose?".

The shadowed figure responds, "The question is not which bird to choose. The question is, 'which will you choose to change alongside with'. It is an inquiry of the heart, not of the mind".

The fowl listens and carefully considers what the shadowed figure had said. She considers herself, the world around her, and, her desire for a fulfilling life.

The shadowed figure, in a final word of sentiment, rhetorically asks, "Who do you see yourself changing alongside? Just like that stone block, you both will be chipping away at yourselves overtime ever-changing as you learn and experience each other and the world surrounding you both".