The Wise Quail

Dadi: "Guddu, I have a riddle for you. What's stronger: one stick, or a bundle of sticks tied together?"

Guddu: "The bundle! You can break one stick easily, but a bundle is super hard to break."

Dadi: "Perfect! Tonight's story is about birds who learned that lesson—almost too late. It's one of the Buddha's Jataka tales, about when he was born as a wise quail."

Guddu: "The Buddha was a bird?!"

Dadi: "In one of his many past lives, yes. And in this life, he was the leader of a flock of quails. They lived peacefully in the forest, eating seeds and singing songs."

Guddu: "That sounds nice and peaceful!"

Dadi: "Until a clever hunter came along. This hunter had learned to imitate the quails' own calls perfectly. When the birds heard what sounded like a friend, they would come running—right into his net!"

Guddu: "That's such a sneaky trick!"

Dadi: "Day after day, the hunter caught more and more quails. The flock was getting smaller. The wise quail leader knew he had to do something."

Guddu: "What was his plan?"

Dadi: "He called all the quails together. "Listen carefully," he said. "The next time the hunter throws his net over you, don't panic. Each of you must stick your head through one of the holes in the net.""

Guddu: "Through the holes? Why?"

Dadi: ""Then, all together, fly UP! If you all fly at the same time, in the same direction, you can carry the net with you. Drop it on a thorn bush and escape underneath.""

Guddu: "Would that really work?"

Dadi: "They tried it the very next day. When the net fell, every quail put their head through a hole. "NOW!" cried the leader. All at once, they flew up—and lifted the net right off the ground! They dropped it on a thorn bush and escaped safely underneath."

Guddu: "Teamwork! That's so clever!"

Dadi: "The hunter was shocked. His own net had flown away! He went home empty-handed. His wife was angry. "Where are the quails? We have nothing to sell at the market!""

Guddu: "What did the hunter say?"

Dadi: "He said, "Those quails are working together now. They fly away with my net every time! But don't worry—I know birds. As soon as they start fighting among themselves, I'll catch them all.""

Guddu: "Did the quails start fighting?"

Dadi: "Unfortunately, yes. One day, a quail accidentally stepped on another's head while landing. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" the second quail snapped."

Guddu: "It was just an accident!"

Dadi: ""I didn't mean to! Don't be so touchy," said the first quail. But the second quail stayed angry and started saying mean things. Soon, other quails took sides. "You were wrong!" "No, YOU were wrong!" The whole flock was arguing."

Guddu: "Oh no. I can see where this is going..."

Dadi: "When the hunter came the next day and threw his net, the quails were still fighting. "You lift the net!" said one group. "No, YOU lift it!" said the other."

Guddu: "And while they argued..."

Dadi: "The hunter simply walked over and gathered them all up. Because they couldn't agree to work together, they all got caught. He took them to market and sold every single one."

Guddu: "That's so sad! All because of a silly fight!"

Dadi: "But the wise quail leader had seen this coming. Before the fighting started, he had quietly moved away to another part of the forest with the quails who would listen to him."

Guddu: "Smart! He didn't wait around for disaster."

Dadi: "When he saw what happened to the others, he shook his head sadly. "If only they had lived in peace, they would still be free. But they would quarrel, and now they have all been caught.""

Guddu: "Dadi, this story feels like it's about more than just birds."

Dadi: "*smiling* You're right. The Buddha told this story to teach people. When we stick together and help each other, we can overcome almost any problem. But when we fight among ourselves..."

Guddu: "The hunter wins."

Dadi: "Exactly. And there are always "hunters" waiting—problems, enemies, challenges. They're just waiting for us to stop cooperating."

Guddu: "So even if someone accidentally steps on my foot or does something annoying..."

Dadi: "Ask yourself: is this worth breaking the bundle over? Usually, it's just a small accident or misunderstanding. The wise quail didn't ask everyone to be perfect. He just asked them to fly together when it mattered."

Guddu: "Unity makes us strong. Division makes us weak."

Dadi: "That's the whole lesson in two sentences, beta. Now, shall we fly off to sleep together?"

Guddu: "*giggling* Yes! But I promise not to step on your head!"

Dadi: "*laughing* And I promise not to argue if you do. Good night, my wise little quail."

Guddu: "Good night, Dadi. In unity there is strength!"

Dadi: "Always remember that. Sweet dreams."