Parables of Wisdom
Learning About Responsibility
ज़िम्मेदारी के बारे में सीखना · જવાબદારી વિશે શીખવું
Darsh made a promise to the sparrows, and then there was cricket
- 3 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
In the hottest week of a Jaipur summer, nine year old Darsh begs to be put in charge of the water bowl for the birds on the balcony. It is an easy job, until a cricket match makes him forget it.
What it teaches Responsibility Keeping promises Care for creatures
The opening of the children's telling
Darsh lived in Jaipur, where the summer is very, very hot. Every summer his Dadi put a bowl of water on the balcony for the thirsty birds.
This year Darsh said, "Please let me do it, Dadi! I will fill the bowl every morning and every lunchtime." Dadi smiled. "The birds will count on you," she said. "Can you keep this promise?" "Yes!" said Darsh.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Responsibility is not never forgetting; it is lighting the lamp again.
To talk about together
What is something in your home that depends on you? How do you remember to look after it?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.