Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived a wise old owl named Hoot. Hoot was respected by all the animals of the forest for his wisdom and ability to solve their problems. One day, a group of animals came to Hoot seeking his advice on how to deal with the changing seasons of happiness and distress.
Hoot listened patiently to their concerns and began to explain the concept of dharma and karma. He said, “O animals of the forest, just like the seasons of winter and summer come and go, so do the moments of happiness and distress in our lives. These are temporary and arise from our senses. We must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”
The animals were confused and asked Hoot to explain further. So, Hoot began to tell them a story of a little bird named Tweet.
Tweet was a small and chirpy bird who lived in a tree at the edge of the forest. She was always happy and content with her simple life. One day, as Tweet was flying through the forest, she saw a beautiful bird with shiny feathers and a melodious voice. Tweet was envious and wished she could be as beautiful and talented as the other bird.
Feeling upset and dissatisfied with her own life, Tweet began to feel unhappy and distressed. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t as beautiful or talented as the other bird. She spent her days feeling sorry for herself and wishing for things she didn’t have.
One day, as Tweet was perched on a branch feeling miserable, a wise old tree spoke to her. “Dear Tweet, do you see how every leaf on my branches is different? They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Yet, each one serves its purpose and contributes to the beauty of the tree. Just like you, dear Tweet, you are unique and have your own purpose in life. Do not compare yourself to others, embrace your own talents and strengths.”
Tweet was stunned and realized that she had been so caught up in comparing herself to others that she had forgotten her own worth. She began to embrace her own talents and strengths and found contentment in her own simple life. Her happiness returned, and she felt at peace with herself.
Hoot finished his story and explained that just like Tweet, we should learn to appreciate our own unique qualities and strengths. We should not compare ourselves to others or wish for things we don’t have. Instead, we should focus on our own dharma, our own duties, and follow the path of karma, doing good deeds and treating others with kindness and respect.
The animals of the forest were impressed with Hoot’s wise words and promised to remember the story of Tweet and follow the path of dharma and karma. They left Hoot feeling enlightened and content, embracing their own unique qualities and strengths.
From that day on, the animals of the forest lived in harmony, following the path of dharma and karma, and embracing their own unique qualities and strengths. They realized that the temporary moments of happiness and distress were like the changing seasons, and they learned to tolerate them without being disturbed. And, Hoot the wise old owl, continued to guide and inspire them with his wisdom and knowledge of dharma and karma.
Bhagavad Gita: 2.14
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata
mātrā—sensuous; sparśāḥ—perception; tu—only; kaunteya—O son of Kuntī; śīta—winter; uṣṇa—summer; sukha—happiness; duḥkha-daḥ—giving pain; āgama—appearing; apāyinaḥ—disappearing; anityāḥ—nonpermanent; tān—all of them; titikṣasva—just try to tolerate; bhārata—O descendant of the Bhārata dynasty.
O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
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