A parable, inspired by a photograph taken by Brian Le-May.
Once upon a time there was a Bird who lived in a forest with his wife and a nest full of eggs.
One bright morning Bird said good-bye to his wife, who was sitting on their eggs, keeping them safe and warm, and set off in search of food. Bird was a good provider for the ones he loved.
Bird flew to a clearing and began to look about. He was careful, for the forest was full of wily predators. He swiveled his head from side to side and pirouetted from time to time to make sure no one snuck up from behind. But he became distracted for just a moment. And in the forest, even one moment is enough for a wily predator to strike.
Weasel was one of the wily predators in the forest. He too had a family to provide for, and he too was a good provider for the ones he loved. Weasel saw Bird dancing in the field and stealthily crept toward him. He waited patiently for his moment, and with a mighty lurch, leapt onto Bird’s back.
Bird’s instincts shouted, ‘Fly!’ He thrust out his wings and took to the air. He was of course terrified to have Weasel on his back. But no more terrified than Weasel as he soared into the sky on the back of Bird.
After the initial fright, Weasel spoke into Bird’s ear. ‘That was a smart move Bird. But you are nonetheless through. I have you right where I want you. My jaws are near your neck. I can bite at any moment. Land now and let me go, or I shall bite you now and you will die.’
Bird thought quickly. ‘You dare not Weasel. You know, or at least you should, that the moment you bite, I shall fall. Then you will die too.’
Weasel, having never flown before, had not considered this. He thought a moment. ‘Well then Bird. It comes to this. You can’t fly forever. You will eventually have to land. And when you do, I will bite you then and you will die.’
This flummoxed Bird for half a second. But he was a wise bird and found an appropriate response. ‘If that is your plan Weasel, then I will fly higher and higher until I can fly no more. Then I shall fall, and you will fall with me. You will die as well.’
Weasel grunted, ‘Drat!’ He felt trapped. And indeed he was. What would he do? He was a wily creature, but this seemed beyond him. He looked over Bird’s wing to the earth far below and considered his dilemma anew. He nearly passed out. The situation seemed hopeless.
Bird, sensing Weasel’s distress, spoke into the silence. ‘I suggest we make a deal. For good or for ill, our lives are now bound together. Neither of us can live without the other. We can no longer think in terms of ‘me,’ Weasel. We must think in terms of ‘we.’’
Weasel wondered what Bird meant and asked, ‘What sort of deal do you propose?’
Bird answered, ‘This: I will promise to land us safely, and you will promise not to bite me. Then we will go back to our respective places in the forest and continue our lives.’
Weasel was doubtful. ‘How do I know you won’t try a trick move as you land and throw me off?’
Bird told it straight. ‘You don’t. Just as I don’t know you won’t bite me when we land. We will have to trust each other.’
Weasel thought of this. Birds and weasels had never trusted each other before. Could they trust each other now?
Bird, who was growing tired (it is hard to fly with a weasel on one’s back) hastened the conversation along. ‘Time is ticking Weasel. What do you say?’
Weasel realized he had no choice. ‘Okay Bird. I will take the deal. If you will promise to land us safely, I will promise not to bite you.’
‘I so promise,’ replied Bird.
‘And I as well,’ answered Weasel.
Bird circled around and headed back to the clearing. He knew he could not fly much further. As he came in for the landing, he feared Weasel would not keep his promise. He was after all, a weasel.
Weasel was also frightened. Would Bird keep his promise and land safely? But he knew Bird was right. Their lives were bound together. There was no choice but to trust Bird.
His trust was well founded. Bird landed in almost the precise place where Weasel had jumped on. Weasel jumped off just as quickly.
Bird and Weasel looked intently at one another. Both were exhausted. Bird from flying with a Weasel on his back, Weasel from, well, flying at all.
Bird was the first to speak. ‘Well Weasel, I have kept my promise. Will you now keep yours?’
‘Yes Bird,’ replied Weasel. ‘A promise is a promise. Our lives were bound together, and perhaps they still are.’ Weasel smiled. ‘See you around Bird,’ he said, and with a sociable wink, scampered merrily away.
Bird took to the air. He was still tired, but flying was easier without Weasel on his back. He went home to his nest and wife, who was still sitting on their eggs, keeping them safe and warm.
Photo by Kevin Jansen courtesy of Unsplash. To see Brian Le-May’s original photo, click here.