Puram, a parrot, lived on a banyan tree with his wife, mother and two brothers. He sang very well but was extremely lazy. He would sing all day and not do any work. "Puram, get up. Go and do some work," his wife would tell him. But Puram would lie like a log while his brothers would toil in the field all day.What Puram needed was understanding and he expected it to come from his wife but she threw him out of the house. "Don't you come back home you lazy log," she said.
He went to his mother for help. She made him understand the importance of work. Puram bid farewell to his mother and left home in search of work.
He went to a place called Sarovar. At a distance, Puram saw a cowherd toiling in his field. He called out to him and broke into song. The cowherd heard his song and appreciated it. The song earned Puram a cow.
Puram then flew on to another village. He saw a man watching his buffaloes graze. Puram sang the same song again. "Here take this buffalo for you," said the man after Puram had finished his song.
The parrot now had enough to earn some money. "I'll sell these animals in the market and get some money to take home for mother," he thought. He woke early the next morning and went to the market along with his animals. He parted with the animals in no time for good money.
Puram flew back home with the money and his mother was very pleased with him. Singing was now not just his hobby but also a source of livelihood. He lived happily after that.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
