You will never obtain anything till you have first obtained command over your brethren. When the little bird saw the unwillingness and disobedience it said to the eldest brother, Go back. At length the elder brother ordered his brethren to do as the eldest brother of the other party had ordered his brothers but they would not obey him.Īnother replied, Wherefore should I bring a knife?Īnd the third pleaded, I am too tired to fetch any wood. They went, they saw the spring they rested under the shadow of the big tree they heard the pretty warblings of the bird and sweated with curiosity and expectation. Let us go back to our country.įour other brothers, of another family who were living in the neighbourhood of the grand building where in the four wealthy brothers had taken taken up their abode, chanced to hear of the extraordinary manner in which they had met with their wealth, and they too, being driven to great straits by the famine, determined to visit the spring, the scene of the late find, and try their luck. What reason have we now for continuing the journey? We have, said they, enough and to spare. The fourth brothers did so, and found as the bird had said. Dig, dig around the trunk of the tree, and you will find treasure untold. I will spare your if you will fulfil your promise. Spare me, and I will show you a treasury of wealth. In a voice tremulous with terror the poor bird entreated for its life. The young man replied, It is my intention to kill you, and afterwards to roast and eat you. So, while the three brothers were going about to fulfil their several tasks, it said to the eldest of the party, why do you wish to catch me? Why do you send for a knife and wood? Now the bird was an intelligent creature, and therefore had perfectly comprehended all that had been said. All immediately bestirred themselves, rise up, and went quickly to fulfil their elder brothers commands. The elder brother, in his rage, ordered one of the party to catch the bird, a second to take out his knife and kill it and the third to get some wood ready for a fire whereby to cook it. About midnight they were suddenly aroused by the shrill, insinuating cries of the little bird. It was a lovely spot wherein to rest.Ĭonversation as to their future prospects was indulged in freely, and various plans were suggested and talked over, till all were fast asleep. The place was abundantly shaded by a large tree, in the long spreading branches of which a little bird was singing most merrily and sweetly. They had proceeded some distance, when they came to a spring, whose crystal waters invited them to stop and rest a while. On a certain day, having packed up whatever was necessary for the way, they started on their journey. There was much distress and lamentation in many families whose dear one had been slain or wounded by his cruel hand.Īt such a time a company of four brothers determined to fly from the country. Here is the story as translated by Knowles:Ī TERRIBLE famine, like a great ogre, stalked the land of Kashmir, committing the most fearful depredation on every side. The story has its own unique style of conveying, United we Stand: Divided we Fall. It was some surprise to know that the story was in fact quite old after I saw its 1891 English translation by Knowles recently. I have heard it from my father when I was a kid. We have our own story that is still popular in Kashmir’s villages. There are stories everywhere that tell us that there is strength in unity like the one that asks kids to break sticks one by one and then to break them tied together.
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