A Tale of Two Birds summary

“A Tale of Two Birds” is a short but meaningful story that teaches an important lesson about upbringing, environment, and the way choices shape our character. The story shows how two birds of the same family can become completely different because of the surroundings in which they grow up. Through a simple incident, the chapter explains that behavior is not only based on birth, but also on what a person learns from the company they keep.

The story begins in a forest where a mother bird lives happily with her two young ones in a nest on a tall tree. The forest is peaceful and full of life. The mother bird takes care of her babies, feeds them, and protects them. She represents love, safety, and natural goodness. Everything is going smoothly until one day a terrible storm arrives. Strong winds blow violently, rain falls heavily, and the sky becomes dark. The storm is so fierce that it shakes the trees and breaks branches. In this chaos, the mother bird’s nest is destroyed, and the two young birds are separated. The mother bird is unable to find them again. The two baby birds, who had always lived together, now end up in two completely different places.

One of the birds is carried by the storm toward the edge of the forest and falls near a cave where a group of robbers lives. The robbers are cruel and greedy people who steal from travelers. The baby bird grows up in their company. As it listens daily to their rude language and violent plans, it starts copying their behavior. The bird learns to speak harshly and develops an unfriendly attitude. Its voice becomes threatening, not because it was born evil, but because it has absorbed what it heard around itself. Over time, that bird becomes part of the robbers’ world in its speech and manner.

The second bird is carried in another direction and lands near a quiet ashram. This ashram is home to a kind rishi (sage) and his disciples. Life there is calm, spiritual, and full of peace. The rishi teaches good values like kindness, respect, truth, and hospitality. The young bird grows up listening to polite words, prayers, and gentle conversations. Naturally, it imitates what it hears. This bird learns to welcome guests warmly and speak softly. Its voice becomes kind and friendly. Even though it came from the same family as the first bird, its environment makes it gentle and helpful.

The main incident happens when a king is hunting in the forest with his soldiers. During the hunt, the king becomes separated from his group. He rides alone and soon feels tired and thirsty. Looking for shelter, he reaches the area near the robbers’ cave. As he approaches, he hears a bird on a tree speaking loudly. The bird cries out in a rude, warning tone, basically repeating what it has learned from the robbers. It tells the king not to come closer and threatens that robbers will catch him. The king is surprised. He thinks it is strange that a bird can speak so harshly. The language feels human-like, dangerous, and unfriendly. The king senses that he may be in trouble and quickly turns his horse away from the place.

Still confused, the king rides deeper into the forest and soon comes near the ashram. There he hears another bird speaking kindly. This bird welcomes him politely, saying that he is a guest and should come in to rest. The king is amazed because the bird’s voice is sweet and gentle, completely opposite to the first bird’s voice. He follows the bird’s guidance into the ashram, where the rishi warmly receives him. The sage offers him water, food, and rest. The king shares the strange experience he had with the two birds and asks how birds in the same forest can sound so different.

The rishi explains the truth. He says that both birds are actually brothers from the same nest. But one grew up among robbers, so it learned their rude speech. The other grew up among sages, so it learned gentle and respectful manners. The sage’s message is clear: people become like the company they keep. A good environment builds good character, while a bad environment can turn even an innocent mind toward negativity. The story ends with the king understanding this lesson and feeling grateful for the wisdom.

Thus, “A Tale of Two Birds” teaches that upbringing and surroundings shape behavior. Birth does not decide goodness or badness; learning does. The story reminds students to choose friends wisely, stay in positive company, and build a kind personality through good habits. It also shows how innocence can be protected or ruined depending on the environment. The moral is powerful and simple: we are shaped by what we hear, see, and practice daily, so we must surround ourselves with goodness.