Once upon a time, in a dense jungle, there stood a massive banyan tree. Numerous parrots lived on that tree, engaging in conversations all the time. Among them was a parrot named Mitthu. He spoke very little and preferred to stay calm. Despite others making fun of his habit, he never took offense at anyone’s words.
One day, two parrots were discussing their experiences. The first parrot said, “Once, I found a delicious mango. I enjoyed it throughout the day.” The second parrot replied, “I, too, found a mango one day and relished it with great enthusiasm.” Meanwhile, Mitthu remained silent. The leader of the parrots noticed him and commented, “Hey, we parrots are meant to talk. Why are you always silent?” The leader continued, “You seem like a fake parrot.”
The others joined in, teasing Mitthu and calling him a fake parrot. However, Mitthu remained quiet. This continued for some time until one night when the chief’s wife’s necklace was stolen. She came crying to the gathering and explained that the thief was from their own group. The chief parrot said, “The thief is one of us, and my wife saw him escaping, but all she noticed was a red beak.”
Now, everyone in the flock had a red beak except for Mitthu and another parrot named Heeru. Both of them had red beaks, so all eyes were on them. The chief parrot decided to seek the help of a crow to identify the thief. The crow called Heeru and Mitthu in front of the assembly and asked them where they were during the theft.
Heeru parrot confidently exclaimed, “I was tired that day, so after having my meal, I went to sleep early.” On the other hand, Mitthu spoke softly, saying, “I was asleep that night.” Upon hearing this, Heeru parrot accused Mitthu of the theft, saying, “I think Mitthu is the thief; he is so calm because he knows he is guilty.” Mitthu remained quiet.
Observing the situation, the crow declared that Mitthu was innocent. He explained, “Heeru parrot spoke loudly and confidently, trying to prove his innocence, while Mitthu calmly stated the truth. Guilt often makes one defensive, but innocence remains composed.”
Heeru eventually admitted his crime, apologized, and sought forgiveness from everyone. Learning from the incident, the chief parrot forgave Heeru, realizing that it was his first mistake. Mitthu, who had been falsely accused, continued his tranquil existence.
The story teaches us that sometimes, speaking less and remaining calm can be a strength. It also emphasizes the importance of not judging others solely based on their actions and outward behavior.
