The Skylark

  Was surrounded by a group of gossiping magpies flying down the dusty road.

    As she flew , the magpies continued to fly along and try to tell all they had heard about the crows and what they thought they knew of the sparrows and how they felt about the hawk.

  But the Skylark only flew higher and higher to leave the noisy magpies behind in confusion at her lack of interest in all the tales they were carrying and clattering to tell her.

  When she finally saw the path she had been seeking, there in the quiet woods beside the noisy road. She left the road and the group of magpies behind her with these final words:

  "I do not know any crows or hawks, but am certain there must be some good in them."

  "My friends the sparrows may have a few faults, like I do and you probably, too."

  " I know we should try to help when we can, or stay out of the way of those who can, if we can't."

  "Just as I know my ears are not cans for garbage, and you should not fill them with trash."

  And so saying, she flew into the woods and sought her own quiet path.

 Two Horns Chu'a