The Jealous Parrot

Once upon a time, in a lush green forest, there lived a beautiful parrot named Rio. Rio had vibrant green feathers, a sharp red beak, and a melodious voice that enchanted everyone who heard him. The other animals in the forest admired him, and he often performed songs for them, filling the woods with joy.

However, in the same forest, there was another parrot named Miro. Miro was plain-looking, with dull brown feathers and a scratchy voice. Though the other animals were kind to him, he always felt overshadowed by Rio’s beauty and talent.

One day, as Rio sang a sweet melody, the animals gathered around him, clapping and cheering. Miro watched from a distance, his heart burning with jealousy.

"Why does Rio get all the attention?" he thought bitterly. "If only he weren’t here, maybe they would appreciate me instead."

The Plan to Steal Rio’s Joy

Unable to bear his envy any longer, Miro decided to ruin Rio’s happiness. The next morning, as Rio was about to sing, Miro flew to a high branch and began screeching loudly, drowning out Rio’s song. The animals winced at the harsh noise and quickly left, disappointed.

Rio looked at Miro in confusion. "Why did you do that, Miro?" he asked kindly.

"Because I’m tired of you being the favorite!" Miro snapped. "No one ever notices me!"

Rio sighed. "Miro, instead of trying to bring me down, why not improve yourself? I can teach you to sing better if you’d like."

But Miro was too consumed by jealousy to listen. "I don’t need your help!" he squawked before flying away angrily.

The Consequences of Envy

From that day on, Miro made it his mission to disturb Rio’s performances. He would flap his wings noisily, interrupt with loud caws, and even spread rumors that Rio was arrogant. Slowly, the animals grew frustrated—not with Rio, but with Miro.

"Miro is always causing trouble," whispered the deer.

"He used to be quiet and kind, but now he’s just bitter," sighed the rabbit.

Soon, the animals began avoiding Miro altogether. No one wanted to be near his negativity. Even when he tried to sing alone, his voice, strained with anger, sounded worse than ever.

Meanwhile, Rio remained patient. He continued singing, but now he chose quieter spots where Miro wouldn’t find him. The animals who truly appreciated him still sought him out, and his joy was unshaken.

The Lesson Learned

One evening, as Miro sat alone on a bare branch, he realized how miserable he had become. His envy had not made him happier—it had only stolen his peace and driven others away.

Just then, an old owl, the wisest creature in the forest, landed beside him.

"Why so gloomy, Miro?" the owl asked.

"No one likes me anymore," Miro muttered. "All I wanted was to be as loved as Rio."

The owl nodded wisely. "Envy is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. Rio never harmed you, yet you let jealousy control your heart. Instead of resenting his light, you could have let it inspire you to grow."

Miro hung his head in shame. "You’re right. I’ve been foolish."

A Change of Heart

The next morning, Miro flew to Rio and apologized. "I was wrong to be jealous of you. Can you forgive me?"

Rio smiled warmly. "Of course, my friend. Let’s move forward."

From that day on, Miro stopped comparing himself to others. He practiced singing every day, and though his voice was never as smooth as Rio’s, he found his own unique rhythm. The animals, seeing his change of heart, welcomed him back.

The Moral of the Story

Envy steals your joy. When we focus on what others have, we blind ourselves to our own blessings. Instead of letting jealousy poison our hearts, we should celebrate others’ successes and work on improving ourselves. True happiness comes from gratitude and self-growth, not from tearing others down.

And so, Rio and Miro lived harmoniously, reminding everyone in the forest that kindness and contentment are the keys to a joyful life.

The End.