I read this story in Mallika Sarabhai’s column in The Week and found it to be quite good, so I am sharing this with you here. This is a story by Rabindranath Tagore written over a 100 years ago.
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Once upon a time, a king had a prized parrot who could not speak. So, he asked his Rajpurohit to do something. The Rajpurohit called for a yagna, and thus were called hundreds of pandits, with thousand of kilos of wood, ghee and other things that were to be used for the yagna. The pandits and all the suppliers went home rich. After the yagna, the Rajpurohit called for a golden cage to be made for the bird. So, the jewelers made a lot of money. The parrot still did not speak. Hence, it was decided that the greatest literature in this world be written on bits of paper and be fed to the parrot everyday to make him wise. Scribes from across the world were engaged for this task. All of them benefited while the poor parrot became even more despondent. It was then decided that the parrot must be chained because he was restless in the cage. Blacksmiths made a quick buck. The parrot was still fluttering his wings in despair hence barbers were called to clip his wings. Barbers made a neat profit too. By now, the entire area around the parrot’s cage became a tourist attraction and a lot of people made a quick buck.Finally, one day the king inquired about the parrot’s progress. Seeing that the area around the parrot had become a huge attraction for people, he was satisfied with the parrot’s progress without ascertaining it himself. The poor, miserable parrot — could not fly, speak or breathe due to the commotion around him and regularly fed with bits of paper finally passed away. His stuffed body was taken in a procession to the king. The king poked the parrot who did not speak. The king asked angrily why that was so. To which the wily courtiers replied that the parrot was now so well educated that he did not need to speak (Just like our PM, eh?). So, the king satisfied that he had indeed made the parrot wise retired to his chamber.
I find this story so relevant in today’s times of mindless government schemes where the poor get poorer and everyone else benefits from what is meant for them. The same applies to our educational system, the poor student is becoming brain numb yet the schools, tuition classes, teachers, textbook vendors, uniform vendors all thrive in the bargain. I am sure you can find many such similar situations in our life. Such is the sad state of our times, which Tagore foresaw a century ago.
Very relevant to todays times. He was such a visionary isn’t it?
I am worried that people will get so angry that they take matters in their own hands, the way it happened in Egypt and see now what happened to Egypt, nothing, its worse off then what it was during Mubaraks regime
Remarkable story with a message for us…
Your narration was very engrossing.
@Bhagyashree Yes, amazing isn’t he. I would like to read more of tagore’s stories for sure. I agree with your view. Angry can be mindless and can lead to worse anarchy. But, there is a saying ki jab paap ka ghada bharta hai to phoot jaata hai. That is what is happening with the state of affairs and also with people’s patience. How are things in Bahrain by the way?
@Alka Thank you! I found the story quite fascinating too.
True, our PM looks like a caged Parrot, chained,his wings clipped, his mouth shut- to think he is well educated and respectable man.
Either he should resign saying enough is enough, or gather all his courage and speak up for a change. Both ways he will not lose anything.
History often gets repeated and that is how old stories become relevant.People are the same,they dont change.
am still numbed by the 100% cut off for the Delhi college
very well related…
excellent!
A good story. No need to say well written…he was a champ
Simply Speaking “A” Simple
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Tagore was a genius..he had foreseen such pitiful situations..
Tagores are not born everyday
@rama True, he has nothing to lose. The UPA has nothing to lose. They will sit on their thrones for another 3 years. It is common citizens who are the losers.
@dr.antony True doc. And,that is why history is something we must all take lessons from.
@Jon Really, SRCC principal even came and gloated on TV for his beyond ridiculous thinking.
@Harman Thanks. Happy that you liked the story.
@A Yes true!
@Tomz I guess, he understood how our psyche works.
@BKC Yes sir. That is why we need to take lessons from their writings.
Great message .I sometimes wonder if we really are a Democratic country – we must be because i do vote …huh !
Thanks for sharing this story Rachna.
Relevant even to this day. People make quick bucks with opportunities that gets throw due to the chaotic and stuff..esp with our government.
Nice story, thanks for sharing
Nice B&W picture Rachna.
interesting story of the foolish king(our netas )and the poor parrots.nice correlation .:)
@Kavita I sometimes wonder that too. Perhaps, because we can vote and air our thoughts.
@Insignia Exactly, the whole tamasha goes on.
@rama Hey thanks a lot:).
@raji Thanks dear.
Relevant? Yes. Interesting? Yes. Worth sharing? Shared, already. 🙂
@Arjit Welcome to my space and for your kind words :).
funny a coupld of days back one of my relatives came from india after 19 years here, I had gone to meet him and as we were talking someone asked about some scheme that the govt. has put up to which he replied These schemes are for NEwspapers and People living abroad .. some of the schemes the locals havenot even heard of …
loved the story … so true when put in the way our leaders work ..
Bikram’s
@bikram thanks!
Truely said. Its all neta and netagiri responsible for the sorry state of the country.