Greed and Lost Beauty

The following are two fables: 

The Tale of the Blue Hummingbird and the Squirrel

Not too long ago, a blue hummingbird flapped its wings swiftly, moving from one flower to another. It was cautious to its surroundings and hardly blinked an eye. The bird had been trying to find a flower full of nectar to eat, but he found it very difficult. It had finally been worth it at the end, as eventually, the hummingbird was able to find an entire field of flowers filled with overflowing nectar from each plant. Its long beak watered, in hopes to finally feed on something that had been long-awaited. The bird darted quickly to the closest flower towards him, savouring every last bit of nectar. He did this quickly in hopes that the other animals would not see the large supply. 

Hopes were sadly diminished, as a squirrel from the neighbouring trees swung itself forwards towards the flowers, and he too was excited to consume it. Of course, the blue hummingbird was worried and made his way towards the squirrel.

“Have you come to eat on some nectar?”, asked the blue hummingbird.

“Of course!”, said the squirrel,” this would be too good of an opportunity to pass, especially with so much nectar lying around in this field.”

It was in the hummingbird’s best interest to lie about the nectar, and he told the squirrel that he was reserving the nectar for the bees, so they could make honey. The squirrel understood and left the area full of flowers, but a few moments later came back. 

The squirrel had come with the news: “I came to inform you that I was watching you all along from the top of that tree over their”, the squirrel points to a nut tree from afar,” I have come to understand that you did not save this nectar for others, but rather for yourself”. 

Moral: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”- Mahatma Gandhi

 

The Tale of the Girl and the Dove

Years ago, there had been a young girl living in a whimsical cottage deep in the forest. She had no one to play with or to talk to. Her parents were in and out of her life; they were always out doing labour during the day. Because she had no one to communicate with, her thoughts were always cycling around her head, especially of how she rarely felt any beauty within herself. Her eyes would often glisten, and she could never tell anyone what was wrong. 

During the day she always felt depressed and lonely; isolated in her own bubble of thoughts, but as the sun began to set, she was more lively and happier because she knew that in the dark, she did not have to look at herself and all her imperfections. 

Not long after, she began to dream of a perfect world, where she had friends and family, and when she had finally seen the beauty in herself.

Late in the evening, before her parents arrived, she found a dove sitting by the corner of her window sill. The dove listed out all her hopes and dreams and silently flew away in the darkness. 

The following day, in mid daylight, the girl had finally felt a sense of true happiness.

Moral: “Your happily ever after might not look like one right away”- Beauty and the Beast

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