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| The Story Of The Adopted
Chick |
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Once upon a time there was a bird
who could not fly. Like a chicken, she walked about on the ground, but
she knew that some birds did fly. One day, she found an abandoned egg
of a flying bird and decided to incubate it until it hatched.
In due time, the chick cracked open the egg and came to life. He
was the chick of a bird capable of flight from the time he was in the
egg. So, after he grew a little, he asked his adoptive mother, "When
will I fly?"
The land-bound bird replied, "Persist in your attempts to fly, just
like the others."
She did not know how to give the fledgling flying lessons, but the
young bird did not realize this. His recognition of the situation was
confused by the fact that he felt gratitude to the bird who had
hatched him.
So, he said to himself, "Had my adoptive mother not incubated me,
surely I would still be in the egg? Anyone who can hatch me, can
surely teach me to fly. It must be just a matter of time. Suddenly,
one day I will be carried to the next stage by her who has brought me
this far."
Note: This old tale appears in Suhrawardi's 12th century book,
"Gifts of Deep Knowledge."
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