The Two Parrots

Grandmother and Granddaughter

There was an old woman named Heera who lived with her granddaughter. The young girl wanted to go out and play with other children in the village, but her grandmother would never allow it. Heera preferred that the girl remain confined to the house at all times.

Frustration Behind Closed Doors

Frustrated by her grandmother’s strictness, the girl often blurted out, “Why doesn’t the old woman die?” whenever Heera was not home. However, she could never express her feelings directly to her grandmother, as she was always mindful of her presence.

The Parrot’s Revelation

Unknown to Heera, the family parrot overheard the girl’s outbursts. One day, while Heera was feeding the parrot in its cage, it suddenly exclaimed, “Why doesn’t the old woman die?” Heera was shocked. How could the parrot have learned such words? She realized that the only two people in the house were herself and her granddaughter, and no one else could have influenced the bird’s speech.

A Disturbing Escalation

For a few days, the parrot remained quiet, but one afternoon, while chatting with a neighbor, it screamed once again, “Why doesn’t the old woman die?” The guest was so offended that she immediately left Heera’s house. Confused and angry, Heera glared at her pet, but the parrot seemed unfazed by her frustration.

Seeking Help

In the neighborhood lived a learned pundit whom many people consulted for their problems. Heera decided to seek his advice and shared her dilemma concerning the parrot’s misconduct. Desperate for a solution, she asked the pundit to help her pet overcome its bad habit.

A Plan with an Unexpected Twist

“That is not very difficult,” the pundit assured her. “My parrot knows only words of wisdom. If you like, you can take my parrot home and keep it with yours for a few days. Your parrot will undoubtedly learn some nice phrases from my pet.” Heera thought this was a brilliant solution and gladly brought the pundit’s parrot home.

The Inevitable Outcome

However, as soon as she shut the cage, her own parrot squawked, “Why doesn’t the old woman die?” To Heera’s astonishment, the pundit’s parrot immediately replied, “God willing, it should be so!”

A Final Outburst

Enraged by the situation, Heera carried the cage outside and shouted, “Go and die wherever you like, you wicked ones!” She released both birds, hoping to rid herself of their troublesome echoes.