Parables of Wisdom
The Birds and the Seeds
पंछी और दाने · પંખીઓ અને દાણા
An old dove gives seeds away while the others hide them
- 3 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
When a farmer's sack of millet spills in a dry year, most of the birds hurry to hide the seeds for themselves. One old dove carries hers away to those who have none.
What it teaches Generosity Non-possessiveness Kindness to all beings
The opening of the children's telling
Once, the rain did not come for a long time. The fields were dry, and the birds were hungry.
One day a farmer's cart went bump on the road, and a sack of millet seeds fell off. The seeds spilled everywhere! The birds flew down and ate and ate.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
What we hoard can spoil; what we give away can grow.
To talk about together
The old dove gave food to birds she did not have to help. Who could you share something with tomorrow?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.