Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Proud Owl

The vole brothers look alike. It is as if they were made out of a same mold. Despite their physical appearance, they have so much difference on personality. The elder brother, Tommy was always the quiet one when compared to the younger brother, Kenny.

Nevertheless, they’re very good to each other. Kenny would always listen to his elder brother, and Tommy would always protect him. They hunt for food together and take care of each other.

On a starless night, the brothers walked pass an oak tree on their way home. Out of nowhere, they heard a voice yelling “stand right there!”

Tommy was frightened. He fell down and passed out after that. But Kenny was still, he bravely asked “Who is it?”

“Hey, you two!”

“Where are you? Show yourself!”

“Up here.”

Under the mystical moonlight, he could see a shadow on the oak tree. It looked like a bird, only with a pair of glittering eyes like a cat’s.

“I could barely see you! Who… who are you?” Kenny began to shiver.

“I have a head of a cat, wear a coat of a leopard. I sleep during day and haunt during night. And when I see voles and rats, I’ll eat them up” said the shadow.

“What… what did you say?”

“I’ll eat voles and rats up when I see them.”

“So, you’re here to… eat us up?”

“Fear not, little one. Today is your lucky day. I am not going to eat up.”

“Really? Thank you! But… why?”

“Well, I just had my dinner and I’m stuffed.”

“It’s so dark out here. Could you see us clear? Who are you, really?”

“I told you.”

“But your name is long. I can’t remember it. Well, what do the humans call you then?”

“The humans call me professor, or the guardian of the night.”

“Why would they call you ‘professor’?”

“Because I’m knowledgeable.”

“What do you know then?”

“I know a lot. For example, I know that voles would hunt for food at night.”

“Well then, why do they call you the guardian of the night?”

“The humans are afraid of the dark, but I love it when it’s dark. “

“You seem to enjoy yourself being in darkness. But why?”

“The darkness is my home.”

“You could see clearly at night?”

“Just a piece of cake.”

“It’s great to be able to have a clear view at night! We voles could only see things that are near to us.”

“That’s why the voles are all short-sighted.”

Just when he was about to continue asking, a truck passed by and Kenny was able to see the appearance of the shadow for a short while. He saw something that looks like a bird. He thought that it was odd, because most of the birds have smaller eyes and longer beak. That “shadow” thing seems to have two large round eyes on a flat face. Kenny thought he saw a ghost.

Nevertheless, he calmed himself down and continued asking.

“Do you know how to fly?”

“I kept following you guys.”

“But how come we never hear anything?”

“To be able to fly without a sound, that helps me to hunt.”

“You’re cool! What else do you know about?”

“I could rotate my head for 270 degrees.”

“Cool!”

“I have a pair of ears that could identify different sounds.”

“You’re very great! Since you’re so invincible, is there anything you fear of?”

“I’m afraid of the humans.”

“Why should you? Don’t they praise you as you mentioned?”

“They did praise me, but they wished more to capture me.”

“Hang on, you have not tell me your name yet.”

“My name is Owl.”

“Mr. Owl, my brother passed out. What should I do?”

“You brother regained consciousness long ago. He just played dead.”

Hearing the owl’s explanation, the brother had no need to play dead anymore. So he got up and said, “Kenny, I heard your conversation with Mr. Owl there. The Owl is a god, we have to follow what he says. The noble Owl, will you be our leader?”

Being flattered, the owl agreed to be their leader and led them for a trip through the woods. Time flies when it is spent happily, soon, the Sun began to get up. Its piercing sunlight made the Owl feel uncomfortable. “You two, we’ve been running around the whole night, aren’t you tired? Let’s get some rest shall we?” said the exhausted Owl.

“Tired? Even the god will get tired?” asked Tommy.

“Ridiculous! A god will never get tired. I was just worried of you two.” replied the Owl.

“We could not get a clear view at night, but since the Sun is up now, we’ll get to see a lot of things! You could see things clearly in broad daylight, right?” asked Kenny.

“Nonsense, follow me, don’t get lost.”

The owl couldn’t really see as the sunlight pierced through its eyes. He flew and ran so quick that he never noticed the tree ahead of them. *Bang! He crashed himself onto the tree and fell down. There, the proud owl was injured.



Postscript:

            From the story, we could see how the proud owl looked down on the voles just because he could see clearly at night. Such act of proud will not be welcomed by everyone. On the other hand, if the owl were to sincerely share his capabilities in helping others, he could end up in a better condition. It is different to “show off” and to “share”. The act of “showing off” merely asks for recognition, but an act of “sharing” will motivate and encourage the people around you.

            There was a movie named “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” that has a similar story as this. In that movie, there were two owl brothers captured by evil owls. Soon, the elder brother joined the evil forces, but his younger brother never gave up on him. He escaped with his friends and set sail to look for the Guardians’ help. In the end, he found out that the Guardians are owls with strong faith. Therefore, with his strong faith towards his brother, the young owl became one of the new generation of Guardians.

            When we set ourselves an aim, we must be determined to accomplish it. Our effort will never be wasted. What’s important is to be courageous to keep on trying and never giving up. Everyone has their own strengths. When we found our direction, we will slowly develop our inner potential. Just like the owl who could see clearly at night, and the voles who could see clearly during daytime.

            In addition, the Daimoku we chant has the power to open up the inner potential. As we chant, we’re opening up the state of Buddhahood in our life. To be specific, it leads us to spend every day with values with our own capability. Never back down when you come across to problems and challenges. This is the attitude of a lion’s child.

            Strive harder to unleash your very own potential!



Shared by,
Words.

Translated by,
Happy.

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Written at 12:51 AM by Paper Pilot.