5. A Tale of Two Birds

Introduction: This story illustrates that one is known by the company one keeps. Two birds born to the same mother grow up in different environments and behave very differently.

Summary

A mother bird and her two young ones lived in a forest. One day, a fierce storm killed the mother bird. The two baby birds were blown away to opposite sides of the forest.

One bird landed near a cave of robbers. He learnt to talk like them. He would scream, "Quick! Hurry up! There’s someone under the tree. Take his jewels and his horse."

The other bird landed near a rishi’s ashram. He learnt to welcome people politely. He would say, "Welcome to the Ashram, Sir. Please go inside and rest. The Rishi will be back soon."

The King's Visit: A king visited the forest and was surprised to see two similar-looking birds with such different behaviors. The Rishi explained that the first bird imitated the robbers he lived with, while the second bird repeated what he heard at the ashram.

Moral: A person is known by the company he keeps.

Word Meanings

Fierce storm: Violent storm.
Blew down: Knocked down by wind.
Fortunate: Lucky.
Imitates: Copies.
Behaved: Acted.
Amazement: Great surprise.

Question 1:

How did the two baby birds get separated?

Ans: A fierce storm blew down many trees in the forest. The lucky baby birds were blown away by the strong wind to the other side of the forest. One landed near a cave of robbers, and the other landed outside a rishi's ashram.

Question 2:

Where did each of them find a home?

Ans: One baby bird found a home in a tree near a cave where robbers lived. The other baby bird found a home in a tree near a rishi's ashram.

Question 3:

What did the first bird say to the stranger?

Ans: The first bird cried out, "Quick! Hurry up! There’s someone under the tree. Come and take his jewels and his horse. Hurry, or else he’ll slip away."

Question 4:

What did the second bird say to him?

Ans: The second bird welcomed him to the ashram. He requested the stranger to go inside, rest, and drink some cold water. He spoke gently and politely.

Question 5:

How did the rishi explain the different ways in which the birds behaved?

Ans: The rishi explained that one is known by the company one keeps. The first bird always heard the robbers talking about looting people, so he imitated them. The second bird lived in the ashram and heard polite words, so he welcomed people.

Question 6:

Which one of the following sums up the story best?

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
One is known by the company one keeps. (Correct)
A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Grammar Rules: Direct and Indirect Speech (Basic)

1. Direct Speech

Repeating the exact words of the speaker.

2. Indirect Speech

Reporting what the speaker said without using exact words.
Changes: Tense change (present -> past), Pronoun change, Removal of quotes.

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