One morning,
As the sun rose over the river Ganges,
A merchant trader who was travelling home from a far-off land heard the most magical bird song he'd ever had the joy to hear.
Looking up,
He saw many beautiful birds in an old teak tree,
But was taken by one who could only be described as exquisite.
The bird's long arcing feathers were of scarlet,
Silver and gold.
It stood with balance and poise,
Elegant,
On a branch amongst the leaves,
While singing the most soulful,
Pure,
Enchanting song.
The merchant,
A wise and caring man,
Said in a kind voice to the bird,
Please,
Come,
Come and stay with me.
It would make my heart truly sing to hear your magical melody every morning.
I would promise,
Hand on my heart,
To take great,
Great care of you.
I will feed you the finest of what you wish to eat and make sure you have the purest water and all that you need.
And,
Flying down to nestle in the merchant's hand,
Feeling his warmth and gentleness,
The bird agreed.
The merchant,
Who happened to have purchased a magnificent large ornate birdcage on his travels,
Tells the bird to come into the cage where she will be safe and secure for the rest of the journey,
Taking great care.
The merchant helps the bird into the cage and off they go,
Back to where he lives in the Red Mountains.
When they arrive,
The merchant says to the bird,
We are here.
This is your new home.
Anything you wish for I shall gladly provide.
Though there are fox and wild dogs in these parts,
It might be better for you to stay in the cage.
It is large and I will make it as comfortable as possible for you.
Once again,
The bird agrees.
And then,
Each morning,
The merchant is duly awakened to the sound of the bird singing the finest lament.
And each morning,
The merchant feels his heart is brought closer to God.
In time,
The bird starts to witness that other birds of the area are able to fly free,
Coming and going as they please,
Whereas she is locked in the cage.
And so one day,
The bird asks to be set free from that cage,
Promising to sing for the merchant every morning,
But from a branch of a nearby tree.
That way,
She might stretch her wings and fly as a bird ought to.
The merchant refuses,
For he has become accustomed to the morning lament and sees it as his right,
For he feeds the bird delicacies and provides her with great comfort and safety.
But the bird is a bird,
And its wings must take it where it has the will to go.
And so it calls to God one morning to ask for help.
And it feels God in the trees and the flowers and the running water of the river,
In rock and stone and the greenest of green moss that grows upon it,
And the voice of God.
From all these places says to the bird that it must die if it wishes to live truly as a bird was born to do,
To be.
So the bird calls to the merchant,
Saying,
If you do not set me free,
Though I promise to stay in that tree near you always and sing for you without fail every day,
I must surely die.
The merchant once again refuses for fear of losing what showers him in joy and love and brings him closer to God.
At the break of each day,
And so the bird gives up its cage existence and permits one final breath to leave its body.
Crying tears of sorrow,
The merchant opens the cage and gently takes the bird in his hand,
As on the first day.
The trees and the flowers and the running river water,
The rocks and stones and the moss upon them,
Breathe a wish of the beauty of life and the bird rejuvenates and comes to life once again.
He flies to a nearby tree and sings a melody so pure,
So sweet,
So simple,
So clear,
That all around who hear it find themselves in tears of joy as they never felt before.
And the merchant understands one must allow death within life over and over again for life to truly flow.
