The Parrot and the Tree
A green and red “Big Bird?” That’s what my friends told me on Instant Messenger last night — that in the Dominican Republic “Big Bird” (of Sesame Street fame) is not the same character as the one we have in the United States. Their character is a large green bird — a parrot — named “Abelardo Montoya!” For listings of other Sesame Street characters from other countries, see this very interesting link.
Anyway, I want to share a story about a parrot that was written by Carolin Yaniris de la Cruz Javier, a 14-year-old Compassion sponsored child in the Dominican Republic. It was published in a book that the Compassion staff compiled and translated for us — Mis Valores 2007 (My Values) — and was a delightful gift for all who attended the Global Advocate’s Conference. I thought this one was particularly good, so decided to share it with you:
There was once a parrot that loved to fly, but a bad wind came and made her crash with a tree. The tree said: Why do you crash into me if I am only standing here?
The parrot answered: Haven’t you noticed nor did not feel the strong wind that blew from one side to another?
The tree said: but, did you have to crash into me?
The parrot answered: You have not understood that our encounter will be of great benefit because I will talk to you about phrases that will touch the deepest of your heart.
The tree answered: What are you talking about?, because I already know all things; no one has to teach me anything else because I am already 400 years and I have seen everything.
The parrot said: That’s what you think.
Why do you speak like that? The tree said. ”You are no one to be telling me anything. You are just a parrot of about 20 years of age and I on the other hand, I am much older.”
“Do not underestimate me,” said the parrot. ”I only wish you can learn more of life.”
The tree said: If you do not have so many years as I do, what can you teach me about life?
The parrot said: I will teach you how we value others. We do not have to believe we know everything and much less discourage others because there is always something we do not know, and something that is hidden.
The tree said: And who do you think I am? You think I am just an old tree?
You have said it, said the parrot.
That I have said what?, asked the tree.
The parrot said: What you have said indicates that you still need to learn, for example, you still need to learn not to humiliate others.
What do you mean with this?, asked the tree.
The Parrot answered: What I mean is that we are all the same, and it does not matter what we have or who we are. Just because I crashed into you with no bad intentions, you humiliated me.
And to value others is something we have to learn in this world because it is not good to think you are all that.
The tree said: Oh! I am sorry; I did not know you had felt bad.
The parrot said: You do not have to apologize, I just want you to learn that to value is better than feeling superior than others. I have to go now but it has been a pleasure talking to you, I am happy to have met you.
Alright, thanks for the lesson, said the tree. And so the parrot flew very high and left.
At that moment a hyena, the tree’s friend arrived and asked: ”what was that parrot telling you?,” and the tree said: That parrot taught me what no one had in my 400 years and what until today I had not learned. I think this would be of great help for the rest of my life.
Thank you, Carolin, for sharing this very insightful & clever story! You have proved that we can learn very important lessons from a teenager such as you.
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