This story is adapted from a traditional Khmer folktale, often told to illustrate the consequences of discord and the importance of wisdom in choosing one’s companions.
Once upon a time, there were two groups of sparrows: village sparrows and forest sparrows. Both groups of sparrows go out daily, but they travel separately in search of food.
The village sparrows were guided by wise elders who advised them: “When you go out to feed, do not quarrel or make loud noise. Always stay alert. If a hunter throws a net over you, call one another and work together to lift the net so you can escape and save your lives.”
The village sparrows followed this advice carefully. They remained quiet while feeding and stayed disciplined. Whenever they were caught in a hunter’s net, they cooperated and managed to free themselves.
One day, both groups happened to meet at a clump of reeds. The forest sparrows perched on the lower stalks, while the village sparrows settled above them. Suddenly, a reed stalk broke and fell, striking the forest sparrows below.
Angered, the forest sparrows accused the village sparrows, saying: “Why did you break the reed and drop it on us?”
The village sparrows replied calmly: “We did not break it; it fell on its own.”
But the forest sparrows were reckless and unwilling to reason. They began arguing loudly, creating a great commotion. Their noise attracted a nearby hunter, who quickly came and cast his net over all of them.
Even after being trapped, the two groups continued to blame each other.
The village sparrows said: “If you are capable, why don’t you free yourselves from the net?”
The forest sparrows replied: “If you are capable, why don’t you free yourselves?”
They argued back and forth, making no effort to cooperate or escape. While they were still quarreling, the hunter returned, gathered them all, and killed them.
In the end, the village sparrows, though wise and well-behaved, perished because they had associated with the quarrelsome forest sparrows. Their conflict led them all to their destruction.
(This is an English adaptation of a story publish by the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh. The original story in Khmer is available here.)
