The Sparrow’s Advice

In a deep jungle, a pair of sparrows had built a snug nest high in a great tree. They had worked hard to make it warm and safe, and it sheltered them through sun and storm.

One cold, rainy day a soaked monkey came seeking shelter beneath that very tree. His teeth chattered from the chill. From her cozy nest the female sparrow felt sorry for him and called down kindly, “O Monkey, you have clever hands and feet—why not make yourself a shelter like ours? You could keep dry and warm.”

But the monkey, miserable and irritated, snapped back, “Mind your own business, bird! Why won’t you be quiet?” The sparrow, still anxious for his comfort, kept explaining how her nest protected her from cold and rain.

Annoyance turned to anger. The monkey thought the sparrow’s words were meddlesome and insulting. He climbed the tree in a fury and tore the sparrow’s nest to pieces.

The sparrow and her partner lost the home they had so carefully built — all because advice, however well meant, was offered where it was neither wanted nor welcome.

Summary: A sparrow gives shelter-building advice to a drenched monkey. Irritated, the monkey destroys her nest — teaching that even good advice should be timed and given to willing ears.

Moral of the Story:

Offer counsel only to those who ask for it; unwanted advice can do more harm than good.