The Street-Smart Sparrow

The mother sparrow looked at her smallest chick with concern. All the others in her brood had learned to fly and had gone off to fend for themselves. Only this little fellow remained. When she gazed into his remarkably round, big eyes, which were so limpid and innocent, she couldn’t believe he would ever learn to take care of himself.

She sighed; she would do her best by him, and for the rest, the little fellow would have to do the best he could.

“Come, my child!” she called to him gently. “It’s time you learn to fly!”

“Yes, Mama!” he answered, blinking his big eyes and following her meekly.

He learned quickly, and every day he could fly a little farther until soon he had explored the entire village by himself. Mama sparrow was pleased with his progress. Yes, he had learned to fly, but would he learn the ways of the world as easily? She had her doubts. So she decided to give him a few tips that might help him.

“Now you must learn to look after yourself, but let me give you some advice that might help you,” she said. “If you’re in a field and see a man or a boy coming towards you with a bow and a sling of arrows or with a catapult, fly away! They’re sure to take a shot at you!”

“All right, Mama!” the little one nodded earnestly.

“And if anyone standing close by bends to the ground suddenly, fly away fast! He is probably picking up a stone to throw at you!”

“Yes, Mama,” said the young one, absorbing every word.

“You need not fear anyone who is neither bending down nor carrying anything in his hands,” Mama concluded.

“But what if someone is carrying a stone in his pocket?” asked the little sparrow.

There was a moment of silence. “You know more than I do; you’ll survive! Now off with you!” Mama said, giving her young one a gentle nudge.