The Sparrow and His Four Children

Once upon a time, in a tall oak tree at the edge of a peaceful village, there lived an old sparrow who was known throughout the bird community for his wisdom and experience. He had lived through many seasons, survived countless storms, and learned the secrets of thriving in a world that could be both generous and dangerous.

The old sparrow had four young children who were now ready to leave the nest and make their own way in the world. As the time came for them to spread their wings and find their own territories, their father called them together for one final lesson.

“My dear children,” the old sparrow said, perching on the strongest branch of their oak tree, “before you go out into the world, I want to share with you the most important wisdom I have learned in my long life. Each of you is different, and each of you will face different challenges. Listen carefully to what I tell you.”

The four young sparrows gathered around their father, eager to hear his advice.

The father looked at his first son, who was bold and adventurous, always the first to try new things. “You, my brave one, will likely be drawn to the castle on the hill where the lords and ladies live. If you choose to make your home there, remember this: be cautious of the royal falcons and hawks that serve as the noble’s hunting birds. They are swift and deadly, and they consider small birds like us to be prey. But also remember that the castle has the finest grains and crumbs from rich feasts. If you can avoid the hunting birds, you will eat well.”

The first son nodded thoughtfully. He had indeed been curious about the grand castle with its tall towers and colorful banners.

The father turned to his second son, who was gentle and preferred quiet places. “You, my peaceful one, will probably seek out the village church with its tall bell tower. If you build your nest there, beware of the church bells. When they ring loudly, the sound can be overwhelming and dangerous to our small ears. But know that the church provides good shelter from storms, and the kind priest often scatters breadcrumbs for the birds. Time your activities around the bell schedule, and you will find safety and sustenance.”

The second son chirped softly in understanding. The church with its calm churchyard had always appealed to him.

The father looked at his third child, his only daughter, who was clever and sociable. “You, my wise daughter, may choose to live among the houses in the village center where the people conduct their daily business. If you do, be very careful of the cats that prowl the streets and the children who might try to catch you with nets. But remember that the market square is full of dropped seeds and grains, and the baker often shakes out crumbs from his shop. Stay alert, make friends with other birds who can warn you of dangers, and you will prosper.”

The daughter fluffed her feathers thoughtfully. She had always enjoyed watching the bustling activity of the village.

Finally, the father addressed his youngest son, who was cautious by nature and preferred familiar surroundings. “And you, my careful one, might decide to stay near our woodland home where you know every tree and bush. If you remain in the forest, watch out for the owls at night and the snakes that hide in the underbrush. But remember that the forest provides many insects, berries, and seeds, and you understand its rhythms better than any other place. Use your knowledge of the woods to your advantage.”

The youngest son nodded gratefully. He had been worried about leaving the familiar comfort of their forest home.

“Now,” the old sparrow continued, “here is the most important lesson of all: wherever you choose to make your life, you must learn to adapt to that place. Don’t try to fight against the nature of your chosen home – learn to work with it. Each place has its dangers, but each also has its rewards. Success comes not from finding a place without challenges, but from learning to navigate the challenges wisely.”

The four young sparrows spent one more night in their childhood nest, talking excitedly about their future adventures and the wisdom their father had shared.

The next morning, they each set off in different directions, just as their father had predicted.

The first son flew to the castle on the hill. He was careful to observe the hunting patterns of the falcons and learned to hide in the stone crevices when danger approached. In time, he grew fat and sleek from the rich food scraps, and he even learned to mimic the calls of the larger birds to confuse potential predators.

The second son made his home in the church bell tower. He carefully studied the schedule of the bells and found safe places to shelter during the loud ringing times. The priest noticed his presence and began setting aside special treats for him. The son lived peacefully and contentedly, raising his own family in the quiet sanctuary.

The daughter established herself in the village center and quickly made alliances with other birds. They formed a network that warned each other of approaching cats and shared information about the best feeding spots. She became the leader of a thriving community of birds that successfully coexisted with the human inhabitants.

The youngest son remained in the forest and used his intimate knowledge of the woodland to become the most skilled forager of all his siblings. He knew exactly when each type of berry would ripen, where the best insects could be found, and how to avoid all the forest predators. He lived a long and prosperous life in his familiar home.

Years later, the four siblings would meet occasionally at the old oak tree to visit their aging father. Each had found success by following his advice and adapting to their chosen environment.

“You see,” the old sparrow told them during one of these reunions, “there is no single path to happiness. What matters is understanding the place you choose to live and learning to thrive within its unique circumstances.”

The four successful children took turns caring for their wise father in his old age, each bringing him the special foods and comforts from their respective homes.

When storytellers in the village heard this tale from observing the sparrow family, they would tell it to their own children as a lesson about how good parenting involves preparing children for different paths in life, rather than insisting they all follow the same route.

And so the tale reminds us that wisdom comes not from avoiding all challenges, but from understanding how to navigate them successfully. A good parent prepares their children not for a world without difficulties, but gives them the tools to handle whatever difficulties they may encounter in the unique life they choose to build.