A dove laid an egg in the hollow of a big tree in front of the blacksmith’s house. When she flew away from her nest in search of food, the blacksmith’s wife stole the egg. The dove came back to her nest and found the egg missing. The dove knew at once that the blacksmith’s […]
Tag: India
Bird stories, the Tawny Owl
The owls, who can’t see during the day, and the crows, who can’t see during the night, were foes. So the owls said to the crows, We don’t want the sun as you do ; we can do without him ; we can see in the dark. The crows said, We don’t believe you can […]
Why the White-rumped Vulture eats only dead meat
According to the Gond, humans and animals originally all lived together in perfect harmony. One day, the gods Niranjani and Nirankali decided that all of the beings must be called together and taught what sort of foods they should eat. The Gond were allotted vegetables, the Pig was given excrement, the Tiger was provided all […]
The crow as future teller during Kivak Jatra in India
This story describes part of the Indian festival which is known as the Kivak Jatra (Crow Festival). In the early afternoonva procession started from the palace with swordsmen and the honorables, including the Raja, carried by elephants. All along the route every householder stood at the gateway of his garden, beside his offering, a stem […]
Bird stories, Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo)
The Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan, believe that the owl is an omen of good luck and that if a person hears the sound of rain falling when walking beneath a branch where an owl is perched, he will become rich. Other Ainu stories explain why owls hate rats. An owl had put […]
Bird stories, Common Buttonquail (Turnix sylvatica)
A fowler once caught a Quail. The Quail said, I know four things that will be useful for you to know. What are they? asked the Fowler. Well, said the Quail, I don’t mind telling you three of them now. The first is : Fast caught, fast keep; never let a thing go when once […]
Bird stories, Bengal Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera)
The belief of the hill-tribes in north-eastern India, the natives of Furredpore in eastern Bengal say that whenever this bird descends to the water’s edge for a drink it holds a twig in its claws ; it prides itself on living altogether on trees, and in order that it may not be accused of perching […]
Bird stories, African Grey Parrot
There was once a Banker who taught his Parrot the speech of men. The Parrot made such progress that he was soon able to take part in any conversation, and he astonished every one by his intelligence. One day a Parson came by the Parrot. My respects to your Reverence, said the Parrot. O reverend […]