• The Tale of the Golden Droppings

Greed leads to regret.

Long ago, in a dense forest, lived a remarkable bird named Sindhuka. This bird was extraordinary because its droppings turned to gold the moment they touched the ground.

One day, a bird hunter decided to rest beneath Sindhuka’s tree. While he sat there, Sindhuka’s droppings fell on him and transformed into gold. The hunter was stunned.

"This bird is a treasure!" the hunter thought. "If I capture it, I'll become rich beyond my wildest dreams." Without wasting time, he set a trap to catch Sindhuka.

Soon enough, Sindhuka got caught. Realizing its mistake, the bird regretted not being more cautious. The hunter, overjoyed by his success, placed Sindhuka in a cage, dreaming of the wealth the bird would bring.

However, the hunter soon worried: "What if someone finds out about the golden droppings and steals the bird?" To protect his prize, he decided to present Sindhuka to the king, hoping for a generous reward in return.

At the palace, the hunter offered the bird to the king, who was thrilled by the gift. Sindhuka was placed in a beautiful golden cage. But not everyone was convinced. The king's advisors grew suspicious.

"This is a trick," they warned. "Why would he give away a bird that produces gold?" They advised the king to release Sindhuka and punish the hunter for his deceit. Trusting his advisors, the king freed Sindhuka and punished the hunter.

The moment Sindhuka was free, it flew to a nearby wall and dropped its golden droppings. The king and his advisors watched in awe, realizing they had made a terrible mistake. Desperate to reclaim the bird, the king ordered Sindhuka to be captured.

But it was too late. Sindhuka soared away, vowing never to be caught off guard again.

And from that day on, the bird remained hidden, wiser and more careful, leaving the greedy to ponder what might have been.