THE BRAVE LITTLE PARROT

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The story teaches us that courage is the most powerful weapon in danger. The story also teaches that if we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others, god will help in our effort to accomplish our task.

b. write the four levels of interacting with the text “The Brave little parrot”.

Literal Comprehension: Once Buddha was born as a little parrot. In the forest where various animals and birds lived. While all the creatures were spending happy life, a storm and lightening turned the forest into fire. Helpless animals and birds were trapped in the fire. It was terrible picture where birds and animals were crying for help. Seeing that situation the little parrot started to put out the fire by dipping into river and spreading the drops of water into the fire. Though it got burnt all parts of his body the parrot still continued doing the work. Seeing such foolishness of parrot Gods in heaven laughed. But one of the Gods became ready to help him by changing himself into a golden eagle. The parrot didn’t like eagle’s advice rather help when the eagle told the parrot to stop doing that work. So,the eagle began to weep weave upon weave until the fire was put out completely. By the mercy of God all the animals and plants were saved in that forest and there was greenery everywhere. All the animals expressed their gratitude to brave little parrot that saved them.

Interpretation: Since the story is based on Buddhist Legend it tells much about human kindness,love and help. It tells us we should love and help as far as we car selflessly. It we do selfless help, God loves us. Again, another meaning can be that we should always struggle a lot whether it is fruitful or not. Keep on doing struggle but don't expect the fruit is its lesson. The good deeds of parrot are praiseworthy that are seen by the god as well. Those who have experienced the bitter life or suffering can understand others well. So rich and aristocratic people never understand the actual pain of poor and common people.

Critical thinking: The story teaches us to do selfless service and help to other as moral lesson. Though in philosophy such concept is suitable and impressive but in our practical life such feeling  is impossible because people don't have strong faith on God. Some disagreeing points are: (a)  Is it possible for a man to be born as a parrot ? (b) Do we really believe on the existence of god ? (c) Can pouring tear put out forest fire? Besides these some of the confusing points the story has praiseworthy ideas. Teaching human to help others selflessly and be kind and helpful are humane. This aspect of this story is really acceptable and heart touching one.

Assimilation : I got extreme influence after reading this story "The Brave Little Parrot" and knew that we must be like the little parrot. While innocent and poor people are doing honest and dutiful works but so called reach people do everything with selfish motive. Reach are indifferent to the suffering of poor. Still the right conduct of parrot teaches us more to do similar type of behaviours in our life as will. If we help others without selfish nature, there will be someone ready to help us. These concept germinated or came in me after reading these mythological story "The Brave Little Parrot". 

Yudhisthira's Wisdom

Yudhisthira's Wisdom (Source: The Mahabharata)

The story is about the importance of patience, obedience to god's wisdom and right conduct without which Pandava brothers would have been lost. Furthermore, righteousness makes us feel good even after our death.

b. Apply the four levels of reading of text Yudhisthira’s Wisdom’

Literal Comprehension: Once in the exiled period five Pandav brothers grew thirty while running after a deer in the forest of Yaksha. In the hot weather they were tired and thirsty Yudisthira sent his youngest brother Sahadeva in search of water. He came across a beautiful pond and ready to drink water hurriedly. Some voice stopped him from drinking until he could have given his questions’ answers. Thinking it might be fancy he drank water. He sooner got fainted. Similarly, Nakula, Bhima and Arjuna got the same fate lastly Yudhisthira himself went and found such condition of brothers. He waited admonition form drinking water after listening similar. He gave the answers of all questions asked by Yaksha until Yaksha became pleased. He promised to restore one of the brothers. For that Yudhisthira preferred Nakala with much pleasing reason. So Yaksha being happy restore all his brothers and gave blessing for easy and comfortable life of remaining exiled period.

Interpretation: This mythological story is taken from Mahabharata. The righteousness of Yudhisthira is the central point of this story. It focuses on wisdom; patience and loyalty to God are great human qualities. If we conduct any work rightly that has creative result. The story seems to tall that we must be faithful and honest on our work. If we have selfish and careless attitude, that ruins our personality in particular and humanity in general. Again, the reasonable and philosophical answers of the questions given by Yudhisthira can be knowledgeable. The due respect and love to the brother becomes another important meaning of this story.

Critical Thinking: The charming table of Mahabharata seems to be philosophical and knowledge to any reader. Despite of its morality and simplicity of language there are some contradictory points in this story. At present, there  is a question over the existence of God. Some disagreeing points can be given asking question like:(a) can we see Yaksha in our life? (b)can sun shine with God’s power? (c) Do god exist really? (d) Is it true having less anger means being happy? Etc. Still we can learn many more philosophy from this story.

Assimilation: Reading this text gave me new awareness. To be true human, we must have wisdom and righteousness. We learn that we should forsake pride, anger, desires,etc.to be happy and satisfied in our life. I have learnt to change myself changing my thinking as well.

c) Write the story Yudhisthira’a wisdom from Yaksha’s point of view.

Once I (Yaksha) was taking rest sitting near the pool of my place. Suddenly, a man came near the pool and became ready to drink water. I ordered him not to drink until he had given the answers of my questions. He was Sahadeva who disobeyed me and started to drink water. Soon he became unconscious. Similarly, Nakula, Bhima,Arjuna came and tried  to drink water without giving answers of my questions. So all of them lay unconscious near pool. After that Yudhisthira came but became sad seeing the condition of his brothers. When he was about drink water I warned him not to drink to until he could have given the answers of my questions. I asked him: “what makes the sunshine?” he answered the ‘power of god’. “What is the surest weapon against danger?”  was second question. He answered that was ‘courage’. Again, I asked: “what gives more to man than earth?” He answered the ‘mother’. “What makes man happy when he gives up?” was the next question. He said ‘anger’. Similarly, desire was his answer for my fifth question. I was happy by his answers so I liked to relive one of the brothers. Then Yudhisthirs proposed to Nakula not Bhima and Arjuna. That made me more pleased. Then I relived all of the brothers. I blessed them for comfortable rest of the exiled period. I was actually Yama who got real exam of Yudhisthira.

INVITATION

• INVITATION
• Shel Silverstein, USA (1930-1999)
• Flax-Golden
• The speaker/persona requests every kind of reader to become a dynamic or creative reader in this poem.
• a)      Write the four levels of interacting with the text "Invitation".
• Literal Comprehension: This poem "Invitation" has been composed by 20^th century American poet Shel Silverstein. The speaker in the poem invites different persons with different natures with them to accompany with her. He invites the readers who are imaginative as dreamers or even liars who always tell a lie. Hopers who for something are prayer of religious deities or persons with magical power are invited to her. He even invites to the pretenders who pretend to be superior or greater to others. So who ever the readers are all are invited by the speaker to sit by him to spin Flex Golden Tales. The tales are more colorful and very much imaginative, adventurous and with many more outstanding qualities. He invites the readers for four times to accompany him unfolding Flax-Golden Tales.
• Interpretation: The poem "Invitation" might be trying to create a good readerships in young generation. Modern young people are not so much interested  in reading and enjoy in the literatures. May be they haven't properly been invited to read. Not being interested in reading the children are more pretenders, liars, magic been players and so on. when they have inner desire for study they will start to read and will be co-readers to spin, colourful Flax-Golden Tales. The speaker's intension seems to make readers and other people to be more imaginative, creative and have fun in literatures.
• Critical Thinking: The basic intension of the poem seems to make people more creative and productive making a good habit of study. It has easily drawn the attention of different readers. With the repetitive structural pattern the poet seems to be able to convince the readers to go with him to spin some beautiful stories and nice pieces of literatures. The multiple use of 'come' has focused much on the importance of reading and value of good reader. How can one be more creative and interested in literatures if there is no passion with him? Only invitation without interest becomes useless. Still the poem seems to rise some keen interest for reading.
• Assimilation: Before reading this poem I didn't gave keen passion to literature. I had much interest in music, song and sports I used to think literature doesn't do any practical thing in our life. When I read this poem, I got an vision that literature, creative works are also the main sources of internal entertainment or happiness, Dreamer, liar, pretender, prayer all could be adjusted in the vast arena of literature. To spin Flex-Golden tales inspired me to enjoy the world of imagination, creativity, and vision, Our life can't always be charming if we don't love reading by heart.