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Kalia
was the chief of the crows. He was dark feathered, with a streak
of silver on his throat. He was known for his high intelligence.
Hence, he was crowned as the chief of the crows. With the passage
of time, Kalia turned old and weak, but he became very wise.
Kalia and the other crows had made an old banyan tree as their
home for a very long time. Kalia had given a notice to his brethrens
for a last meeting on the old banyan tree. The crows wondered,
why Kalia had asked them to assemble very early in the morning.
Kajal, Kalia's daughter was also perching on the branch besides
her father. She looked very gloomy for she alone knew the reason.
All the crows arrived, and perched on the branches of the old
banyan tree. They all let out a series of caws, caws to praise
their chief Kalia, which echoed everywhere even far in the hills
besides the forest. Kalia
was in a meditative mood. He kept his eyes closed for some time.
He then opened his eyes slowly, and cleared his throat to address
the gathering in a very hoarse voice. "Brothers and Sisters.
I have decided to take leave of you. I mean I am going away
from this place, very far into the horizon. I am going to the
snow clad hills of the Himalayas"
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Hmm! Kajal couldn't control herself. She started to weep. Her
kohl eyes were brimming with tears. She lost her mother only last year who died
from a deadly illness. She wouldn't stop her father now. She knew that he was
feeling very lonely and depressed these days. Kalia wanted to spend his last
days in the serene mountains, in the lap of nature. The other crows were stunned
by Kalia's decision. Why did Kalia have to leave? Nobody knew the answer.
"Now, said Kalia. I want you to promise me something". The crows didn't
understand. "What did Kalia want them to promise him? Kaka, the handsome one and
the suitor of Kajal spoke now. "Chief Kalia, What are they, tell us now" |
Kalia
said loudly "Live, and let others live". He repeated,
"Live, and let others live." Kalia's words were not
clear for the other crows. They looked confused. Kalia explained
further, "Allow other birds like Koels, Sparrows, and Woodpeckers
to make their nest on this tree, and live here. Let the Lazy
Koels lay their eggs in our nests too. We shouldn't mind hatching
them and taking care of their kids too." The crows were
surprised at this request of Kalia. They didn't like the other
birds to make the tree as their home too. But, they knew that
Kalia was wise. And there should be some reason for this generosity
of Kalia.
Kaka again intervened, "Why Kalia, Why do you ask us to do so?" Kalia answered,
"Kaka, our friends are no more alive. Their species are getting extinct day by
day. They don't have anything to eat. I want them to make this tree their home,
and they can feed on the figs of this tree." Kaka asked, "Then, What will we
eat?"
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Kalia smiled. "Why kaka, Can't we survive by
eating the dead animals, should we only depend on figs for our survival.
Why don't we leave them for our friends who are vegetarians? Moreover, people do
offer us food on the sraddha day, but they don't feed our friends."
Kaka pondered for some time, and said, "Yes, Chief Kalia, You are right. This
earth is a place for everyone to live together, and we should let others live
too. We promise you that. And I will assure you that everybody follows that." |
Kalia
felt very happy. He had another promise to make. What was that?
Kaka will be your new chief, and all crows should obey his orders
and words. The crows felt very happy as it was a right choice.
Kaka was also wise and intelligent like Kalia. The crows flapped
their wings, nodded their head, and let out cries of acceptance,
"Caw, Caw, Caw, we agree." Kalia felt very happy.
There were tears in his eyes. The crows always stood by him.
They loved him so much and obeyed him. He said, "I have
a last promise, and I want this from Kaka." Kaka looked
at Kalia, "What do you want? Tell me, and I promise to
do that." Kaka became emotional. With a choked voice, he
said, "will you marry my daughter, Kajal?"
Kaka accepted the proposal, and Kajal felt so proud of her father.
Kalia spoke for the last time, "Friends, I am going now.
Take care. And remember my words, "LIVE AND LET OTHERS
LIVE" which echoed in the hills again and again
LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE
LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE
LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE
LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE
Contributing Story
Teller::
R . SURESH BABU
I am a graduate teacher in English at Navodaya
Vidyalaya, Chikkaballapura in Karnataka. I am a storyteller and write stories
for Nursery and Primary children. I have been working as a teacher for seventeen
years. I write blogs on teaching English. I also give in service training to the
primary teachers in and around my district
sureshniranam@gmail.com
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