Parrot and Dying Tree

The Mahabharat is replete with lessons on kindness. One such story comes from the grandsire Bhishm as he lay on his deathbed of arrows. On being asked by Yudhishthir about compassion as a virtue, Bhishm told him the story of a parrot. The parrot had lived all his life in the hollow of a magnificent tree. One day, a hunter unintentionally pierced the core of the tree with a poisoned arrow. The tree began to wither away. Rather than abandon the dying tree, the parrot grieved with the tree.

Noticing the incident, Indra wondered how this parrot was showing such human emotions. Disguised as a brahmin, he came to the tree and asked the parrot why he chose to stay in a tree that could not offer him the refuge of leaves or the sustenance of fruit. The virtuous bird recognised Indra and replied, 'All that is good in me, I achieved in the safety of this tree. How can I forsake this tree now? It does not befit you, chief of the gods, to counsel me thus.'

Impressed, Indra offered him a boon. The parrot only asked that his beloved tree be restored to life. This Indra gladly did, and the tree grew to even more splendid bloom. The parrot continued to reside there for many years. Upon his death, he was united with Indra in heaven for his kindness. This story of compassion offers us a powerful example of how we too can aspire to live in harmony with nature.