A cruel fowler once prowled the jungle. He caught birds by the hundred and sold them in the market. As usual one evening he was going about his business, he was overtaken by a strom. Birds and animals fled in panic and the fowler reached a tree for shelter saw a pigeon catched and put it in the cage. At that moment the pigeon’s mate searched for his mate.
husband pigeon: wife, where are you ?
wife pigeon: husband, i am here
husband: what ? you have been caught ? i will kick this man’s eye and save you dear.
wife: please don’t hold any grudge against this man, darling. This tree is our home. Now, he is our guest. we must show him all respects due to a guest, my darling.
husband: you are right. i will respect him. (now turning to the hunter), oh! guest, is there anything i can do for you, sir ?
hunter: i am shivering, i need a fire to warm myself.
husband pigeon: i will be back sir and returned a little later with a burning twig in his beak. Then, he gathered dry twigs from various hollows and thus made fire. sir, i fulfilled and anymore you need sir?
hunter: yes, something to eat.
husband pigeon: sir, i am sorry, there is no food in the nest ..but how can i refuse food to a guest? it is my sacred duty to feed a guest. so, it is better to die an honourable death than living dishonour and there only one thing..i will dive into fire.
Thus, the husband pigeon plunged into the fire.
hunter: what you have done ? you gave up your life to feed me ? what a noble-hearted creature and what a base wretch i am in comparison. i brought misery to thousands of birds. i will release all birds i catched. i will release the pigeon in the cage.
Thus, the hunter released all birds free and also the wife pigeon in the cage.
wife pigeon: my husband, you have died for noble cause. Let me share your fate.
