Who Caught The Strange Bird?
The Enigmatic Bird
Travelers spoke of a strange bird in the forest, a creature so beautiful that anyone who saw it would know they had encountered the most stunning bird of their life. Those who heard it sing believed they had experienced the sweetest music in the world. No one had ever seen another bird of its kind anywhere in the wide world.
Brave souls, including princes and generals, attempted to capture this remarkable bird, but they all failed and turned into stone. The world never saw them again.
A Royal Challenge
The Sultan’s daughter declared, “I must have that bird. The price I will pay is high; I’ll marry the man who brings it to me.” The news spread throughout the town, enticing many to brave the forest in pursuit of the bird. However, the fear of turning into stone held most back.
Among those determined to succeed were three young friends from noble families. One of them accepted the challenge and set out for the forest. Guided by the directions of fellow travelers, he soon located the bird. As he approached, the bird began to sing a charming melody. Unable to resist, the young man repeated the tune and instantly turned to stone.
The Quest to Save Friends
A month passed, and it was clear to the townspeople what fate had befallen the first friend. The second friend then ventured into the forest, but he too did not return. After two months, the third friend resolved to enter the forest, not for the bird or the princess’s hand, but to rescue his friends.
Upon seeing the bird, it began to sing again, enchanting him with its melody. He felt an overwhelming urge to sing along but managed to suppress it. Finally, he caught the bird and asked, “Beautiful bird, will you not bring my friends back to life?”
“Let me fly over them, and that will be done,” the bird replied. So, the young man released the bird, which circled over the stone figures, and to his delight, his friends came back to life. The young man then requested the bird to restore life to all those who had previously turned to stone.
The Betrayal
As the bird soared over the scattered stones, many princes, generals, and noblemen were revived and expressed their gratitude. They promised to return to meet their savior with gifts. The young man then pleaded with the bird to accompany him back to his town. “Why not!” the bird trilled happily.
With a golden cage prepared, the bird said, “Look at the ring around my left leg. Take it off and put it on one of your fingers; it will do you good.” Following the bird’s advice, the young man did so, and they began the journey home.
However, at night, while sleeping, the other two friends betrayed him. They gagged him and tossed him into a deserted well. Fortunately, the bottom was soft sand, and though he fainted, he wasn’t harmed. Upon regaining consciousness, he noticed a large dark figure beside him.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m the jinn of the ring. When you fell, it rubbed against the stone wall, summoning me. Now I await your command.”
Return and Justice
“Take me out of the well,” he commanded, and it was done instantly. “Become a horse and lead me to my town,” he ordered next. The jinn transformed into a striking horse and swiftly carried him home.
A festival was underway at the Sultan’s palace, celebrating the princess’s acquisition of the strange bird. Meanwhile, a dispute erupted in the outer court, as each of the young man’s two friends claimed they had captured the bird. Tensions rose as they prepared to confront each other.
“My lord, why don’t you ask the bird?” the young man suggested. His sudden appearance startled the two friends. “The bird does not speak!” the Sultan exclaimed, visibly distressed.
“Let me see the bird. It will speak.” The bird was summoned from the princess’s apartment. “Sweet bird, will you tell us who caught you?” the young man pleaded.
“Only if I’m set free. I cannot speak or do anything worthwhile while imprisoned,” replied the bird. The princess consented, understanding the stake in her marriage.
As soon as the cage was opened, the bird flew onto the young man’s shoulder and declared, “You, you, you caught me!” The other two friends fled in panic, but Sultan’s guards apprehended them.
“Put them to death!” the Sultan ordered.
“Pardon me, my lord, but please let them live. I brought them back to life from stone, and it would pain me greatly to see them hanged,” the young man interceded.
Thus, the Sultan spared the two treacherous youths. The young man married the princess, and each year, they visited the forest together, careful to restrain themselves from singing under the influence of the bird’s enchanting songs.