The Captive Bird

Into the Forest

Once, a merchant was passing through a forest. As night approached, his party set up tents on the bank of a lake and soon fell asleep.

The Bird’s Enchantment

In the morning, the merchant’s sleep was interrupted by the sweet singing of a bird. So beautiful was the bird’s song that he lay in bed for a long time, entranced. Unable to resist, he got up to find the source. Atop a flowery tree sat the enchanting bird, singing to the rising sun.

A Debut Offer

“Sweet bird! Will you come with me to my home in the town? I will provide you with all the comforts you desire and much more,” said the merchant.

“Thank you, but I do not wish to leave this wonderful forest. This tree and my small nest here are comfort enough for me,” replied the bird.

The Merchant’s Persuasion

“You find the forest wonderful, do you? That is only because you do not know how magnificent the town is. My mansion is situated in the finest area of the city, and I have a garden unlike any in the kingdom. I will leave the entire garden to you,” said the merchant.

“I am sorry, sir, but I have no desire to see the wonders of your city, nor am I inclined to enjoy the luxury of your unique garden. Nevertheless, thank you for your offer,” said the bird, resuming its beautiful song.

Capturing the Melody

The merchant returned to his tent, but he kept an eye on the bird while enjoying its music. After an hour, when the bird flew away, the merchant devised a small trap with thin but strong cord. He climbed the tree and set the trap in the bird’s nest. With the end of the cord in his hand, he waited near the lake.

The bird returned by midday, and as soon as it settled down, the merchant pulled the cord, trapping the bird’s legs in a tight knot. He gently pulled the cord, forcing the bird to come closer, flapping its wings helplessly.

The Golden Cage

“Rest assured, I will never mistreat you. I will provide the best fruits available in the world. You will dwell in a golden cage in my magnificent drawing room,” promised the merchant as he finally held the bird in his hand.

He then ordered his men to fold up the tents. After a few days, the merchant returned home, and soon the bird became the talk of the town. All the important people came to see it. Although the bird’s song was rather sorrowful, people were still charmed by it.

True to his word, the merchant kept the bird in a golden cage and ensured it had the best fruits. He never indulged in a good dish himself without sharing a bit with the bird.

“Look at the tributes and the treatment you receive!” the merchant often told the bird, asking, “Is there a second bird in the world that can claim such comfort and position?” The bird would sigh and remain silent.

A Plea for Freedom

Two years passed. It was time for the merchant to undertake another business trip. He stood before the cage and said, “Sweet bird! I will have to cross the forest from which I captured you. If you wish, you can send a message to any of your friends in the forest.”

“Oh master! Should you not be kind enough to let me go now that I have served you for two long years?” pleaded the bird.
<p“Your presence and song have certainly added to my joy, but I have taken great care of you. Allowing you to leave is out of the question,” replied the merchant.

“In that case, please grant me a small favor. On the opposite bank of the lake where you caught me stands an old banyan tree. There lives another bird, a childhood friend of mine. She must have felt bewildered at my sudden disappearance. Please stop under the tree for a while and inform her how I was taken prisoner by you and that I am pining away for my freedom, my forest, and my friends,” requested the bird.

Unexpected Consequences

The merchant promised to fulfill the request. On his return journey, he spotted the old banyan tree and noticed a solitary bird perched on the topmost branch. He delivered the captive bird’s message, and the other bird listened intently. However, to the merchant’s astonishment, instead of responding, the bird suddenly dropped into a bush below.

The merchant waited, but there was no sign of the bird moving. He understood it had died, concluding, “Perhaps the news of its friend being imprisoned was too great a shock.”

The Heartbreaking Truth

Upon returning home, the captive bird eagerly asked, “Did you meet my friend?”

“Yes,” replied the merchant, “but as soon as your friend heard of your plight, it fell dead. I am sorry to be the bearer of such news!”

The captive bird let out a shriek and fell dead inside its cage. The merchant felt a wave of sadness. “Perhaps I should not have shared the news of its friend’s death,” he murmured. He opened the cage and laid the bird on the floor. No sooner had he let go than the bird flew away into the garden and perched on a tree.

The Path to Freedom

“What is this?” asked the merchant, bewildered.
“Don’t you understand?” replied the bird. “This is the course my friend advised me to follow. What she did when she heard about you was indeed her guidance for me on how to attain my freedom.”

With that, the bird soared high and vanished amidst the clouds.