A flock of pigeons, led by their wise king, flew over a lush forest in search of food. Spotting a scattering of rice grains beneath a large banyan tree, the hungry birds descended to feast. Suddenly, a massive net fell over them, pinning them to the ground. A hunter emerged from the shadows, grinning at his massive catch. The pigeons panicked, each struggling individually to tear the mesh, but their efforts only tangled them further. The Pigeon King remained calm and shouted, 'Stop! If we struggle alone, we die. On my signal, we must flap our wings in unison. Together, we shall lift the net itself!' As the hunter approached, the King gave the command. With a thunderous beat of wings, the entire flock rose as one, carrying the heavy net into the sky. Stunned, the hunter chased them until they disappeared from sight. They flew to the home of a loyal mouse, a friend of the King, who quickly gnawed through the ropes and set the birds free.
Unity is strength; when we work together toward a common goal, even the most difficult obstacles can be overcome.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of United We Stand?
The moral is that unity is strength. It demonstrates that a group working together can achieve a feat that is impossible for an individual to accomplish alone.
Who wrote the story of the pigeons and the net?
This story is part of the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables attributed to the scholar Vishnu Sharma.
How did the pigeons escape the hunter?
Under the guidance of their king, the pigeons coordinated their efforts to fly up at the same moment, lifting the entire net into the air and flying away.
Who helped the pigeons get out of the net once they landed?
A wise mouse, who was a close friend of the Pigeon King, used his sharp teeth to gnaw through the netting and release the trapped birds.
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Good night.
