Brave Little Parrot is from an ancient Jataka tale from India. Found in More Best-loved Stores Told at the National Storytelling Festival, (August House,1992.) Martin has published other versions of this tale in The Hungry Tigress: Buddhist Myths, legends and Jataka Tales (Yellow Moon Press, 1999) and as a children's picture book, The Brave Little Parrot ( G.P. Putnam's, 1998, illustrated by Susan Gaber.)

The Brave Little Parrot

Once a little parrot lived happily in a beautiful forest. But one day without warning, lightning flashed, thunder crashed, and a dead tree burst into flames. Sparks, carried on the rising wind, began to leap from branch to branch and tree to tree.

The little parrot smelled the smoke. "Fire!" she cried. "Run to the river!"

Flapping her wings, rising higher and higher, she flew toward the safety of the river's far shore. After all, she was a bird and could fly away.

But as she flew, she could see that many animals were already surrounded by the flames and could not escape. Suddenly a desperate idea, a way to save them, came to her.

Darting to the river, she dipped herself in the water. Then she flew back over the now-raging fire. Thick smoke coiled up, filling the sky. Walls of flame shot up, now on one side, now on the other. Pillars of fire leapt before her. Twisting and turning through a mad maze of flame, the little parrot flew bravely on.

Having reached the heart of the burning forest, the little parrot shook her wings. And the few tiny drops of water that still clung to her feathers tumbled like jewels down into the flames and vanished with a hiss.

Then the little parrot flew back through the flames and smoke to the river. Once more she dipped herself in the cool water and flew back over the burning forest. Once more she shook her wings, and a few drops of water tumbled like jewels into the flames. Hissssss.

Back and forth she flew, time and again from the river to the forest, from the forest to the river. Her feathers became charred. Her feet and claws were scorched. Her lungs ached. Her eyes burned. Her mind spun dizzily as a spinning spark. Still the little parrot flew on.

At that moment some of the blissful gods floating overhead in their cloud palaces of ivory and gold happened to look down and see the little parrot flying among the flames. They pointed at her with their perfect hands. Between mouthfuls of honeyed foods, the exclaimed, "Look at that foolish bird! She's trying to put out a raging forest fire with a few sprinkles of water! How absurd!" They laughed.

But one of those gods, strangely moved, changed himself into a golden eagle and flew down, down toward the little parrot's fiery path.

The little parrot was just nearing the flames again, when a great eagle with eyes like molten gold appeared at her side. "Go back, little bird!" said the eagle in a solemn and majestic voice. "Your task is hopeless. A few drops of water can't put out a forest fire. Cease now, and save yourself before it is too late."

But the little parrot continued to fly on through the smoke and flames. She could hear the great eagle flying above her as the heat grew fiercer. He called out, "Stop, foolish little parrot! Stop! Save yourself!"

"I don't need some great, shining eagle," coughed the little parrot, "to tell me that. My own mother, the dear bird, could have told me the same thing long ago. Advice! I don't need advice. I just" cough, cough "need someone to help!"

Rising higher, the eagle, who as a god, watched the little parrot flying through the flames. High above he could see his own kind, those carefree gods, still laughing and talking even as many animals cried out in pain and fear far below. He grew ashamed of the gods' carefree life, and a single desire was kindled in his heart.

"God though I am," he exclaimed, "how I wish I could be just like that little parrot. Flying on, brave and alone, risking all to help, what a rare and marvelous thing! What a wonderful little bird!"

Moved by these new feelings, the great eagle began to weep. Stream after stream of sparkling tears began pouring from his eyes. Wave upon wave, they fell, washing down like a torrent of rain upon the fire, upon the forest, upon the animals and the little parrot herself.

Where those cooling tears fell, the sparks shrank down and died. Smoke still curled up from the scorched earth, yet new life was already boldly pushing forth shoots, stems, blossoms, and leaves. Green grass sprang up from along the still-glowing cinders.

Where the eagle's teardrops sparkled on the little parrot's wings, new feathers now grew: red feathers, green feathers, yellow feathers, too. Such bright colors! Such a pretty bird!

The animals looked at one another in amazement. They were whole and well. Not one had been harmed. Up above in the clear blue sky they could see their brave friend. the little parrot, looping and soaring in delight. When all hope was gone, somehow she had saved them.

"Hooray!" they cried. "Hooray for the brave little parrot and for this sudden, miraculous rain!"

"The story is a place of possibility in which we take part in a world that enhances us, enlivens us, and offers us something with which we can identify." Richard Lewis

When I settled down to a stint of long term storytelling work in a special school for "emotionally disturbed" children, I made a few basic decisions. In the first place, I would offer only one carefully chosen tale per session an experience of intimacy and connection in contrast to the hyperstimulation of our tv-saturated culture. Since the children had different talents and learning styles, I also wanted to include a variety of creative activities, drawing, mural-making, movement, poetry, mask-making, music, singing and creative dramatics. My background as an arts therapist served me well in coming up with new ideas.

Each session was structured around a familiar format which the children seemed to relish. This included the passing around of a "talking stick" to elicit individual participation. Almost any object, such as a bone or feather, could serve this function but I had made one from an old bone with ribbon, feathers, bones, shell, stone and shark's tooth tied on. I explained that among indigenous people, when people came together in council, whoever held the stick must speak from the heart while others, in turn, listened attentively. The closing ritual at the end ("snip snap snout this tale is out") also helped structure our sessions. I also brought in a beachball globe of the world to identify the countries where a story came from and laid down a friendly red rug on the floor to help demarcate the space as being "special." As well I liked to include some small tangible object related to the story of the day.

Personal storytelling was a regular aspect of our sessions. I wanted children to become aware that their lives were filled with stories about a new pet or an outing with grandmother or a time they were sick. In every meeting, I invited anecdotal contributions from their day-to-day lives. Within this so-called "therapeutic" setting, it was especially important to involve them in activities that helped de-pathologize their sense of self.

Preparation for a session involved conscious planning as well as intuitive leaps of faith. I came ready with a "lesson plan" and usually stuck to this, though leaving myself open to cues from the group. I also considered each session in relation to those which come before and after. For me, the actual telling of the story was only one small aspect of a far more encompassing transaction. I did not worry much about my "performance style," which tends to be fairly low key and unpolished. This essay will examine one such session, with the understanding that it is part of a much larger whole.

I should say that children at the school had been referred because they could not succeed within the typical public school environment. A large majority were ADD (hyperactive) and many had learning disabilities as well as problems on the home front. All received guidance and close supervision from a large, nurturing staff of therapists and special teachers. This is a great school and I was lucky to be part of it. My classes were intimate, made up of four or five children ranging in age from 8 to 10. I visited the school one afternoon each week, offering two hour long sessions to each group and using essentially the same format for both. Racially, the students were a mixture of African-American and white. The fact that I was working with two different groups offered an excellent basis for comparison and I learned that much of what transpired was related as much to the children's mood or energy level as it was to my overall plan.

The session I will describe was only the second meeting. In the first session I had told the African story, "Who's In Rabbit's House," which is one of my stand-bys. This had offered chants and lots of group activities and, as a follow-up activity, I invited participants to draw individual pictures of scenes from the story. This had gone well although I noted that some children were not adept at art and resisted making pictures. In the second session, I wanted to use a tale from a different geographical area, hoping also to include more participatory activities. I selected a familiar tale, "The Brave Little Parrot," originally from India. At the end of the session I wrote up "process notes" to describe for myself how the session had gone. These included sections on:"Goals", "Story Choice" (story summary and reasons for choosing it), "The Group" (names of those present omitted here), "The Session" (description of what actually happened), "Evaluation" and "Planning" (ideas for next session.) These became the basis for weekly phone discussions with a storytelling mentor who is also a practicing therapist. Here are excerpts from my process notes, with names omitted or changed. The full text of the story is provided at the end.

Goals:
to build on momentum of first session, offering some new modes of exploring story. To foster group cooperation through the activity of mural-making. To provide an outlet for pent-up energy through the kinesthetic activity of "making it rain."

Story Choice:
"The Brave Little Parrot." When a forest fire breaks out and threaten forest animals, a little parrot tries to put it out alone by carrying drops of water on its back from the lake. A god changes itself into an eagle, urging the parrot to cease her useless task but the parrot continues anyway. Moved to compassion, the god's tears fall as rain and this puts out the fire. Grass and trees are restored and the parrot's feathers are transformed into bright colors.

I was concerned that this story did not have quite enough narrative thrust and that it depended too much on the mystical turn of events, i.e., the god's divine intervention. Nevertheless, I was drawn to the theme of how one small creature's efforts can make a big difference. The tale provided an emotional journey which echoed the children's attempts to wrestle down problems in their lives. I also saw a ready opportunity for the participatory game of "making a rain storm" (palm-rubbing, finger-snapping, shoulder-slapping, thigh -slapping, foot-pounding as the storm comes in and then in reverse as it abates.) For follow-up activities, I planned to invite children to make a mural together although I was not at all sure they would be able cooperate in this task. I also wanted to evoke a group poem though again wondering if I could "sell" this activity.

The Sessions:
Passing around the talking stick for openers, I asked every participant for comments about what they had done the previous week, which had included the fourth of July week-end. I emphasized that "everyone has stories." Because the group was still new, I was careful to stay away from any material that might be sensitive for the children, such as family or behavior issues. I then opened my "story bag" and took out a small wooden parrot. Next I showed them where India was on my beachball globe. In this particular session I also taught each group how to "make it rain" using hand gestures. Then I launched into the telling, fostering involvement whenever possible and closing with the groups chanting in unison, "Hooray! Hooray for the brave little parrot!" The group stayed with me all the way through the story, joining in the rain-making part with great enthusiasm and energy. They did not seem at all troubled, as I had been, with the god's intervention. With the tale completed, I then asked each child to offer a line for a group poem something the animals might say by way of thanks to the parrot. Here are the two group poems that resulted:

Hooray!
You are my hero!
You saved the forest!
You saved the world!
You are brave!

and

Hooray for the rainbow parrot!
I like your colors.
Thank you for saving us.
Thanks for helping put out the fire.
Thanks for summoning the gods.
Thanks for saving the day.
A little help made a big difference.
Hooray!

I then set each group to making a group mural, working on white mural paper attached to a large piece of foamcore. The first group exceeded my fondest expectations. Their mural included swirling flames and smoke, the trees (with faces!), a few animals in the flames, rain, the eagle with tears gushing out of his eyes, the lake, the parrot with drops on her back. They signed their names proudly.

I then propped it up for them to admire and together we read aloud their group poem. Before dismissing the group, I sounded the chime to signal the session's end and together we did our ritual closing, with gestures ("Snip snap snout, this tale is out.")

The second group, which included one particularly hyperactive child, did not focus so well on the mural project. Two boys were particularly eager to draw the thunder and lightning but then moved into representations of the rainstorm and forest animals. But the mural was far less coherent, with figures drawn willy-nilly, with no regard for a baseline. One boy seemed to regress during the drawing phase, stretching out on the floor and sucking his thumb briefly until the counselor and myself persuaded him to rejoin the group.

Evaluation:
These session seemed to go pretty well and I was glad to include different kinds of expressive activities to draw the children out. However, I did note that part of the difficulty with this story was that it was relatively short, allowing less opportunity for listeners to "disappear" into story events which, for me, is an essential part of the " healing magic" of the storytelling experience. Later on in the residency I planned to bring in longer stories.

Seeing how much more successful Group A was in comparison to Group B, I reflected that I must learn to be comfortable with different levels of participation. I also felt that the larger, softer stuffed animals of the previous week and been more inviting to the children than the small wooden parrot used in conjunction with this tale. But I was pleased with how, on the whole, the groups seemed to be moving forward and coming together around story. I was also aware how, in the second group, the two especially hyperactive boys were going to be a particular challenge.

Planning:
For the next session I would want to find a story from yet another geographical area, one that would have a stronger plot line. I also began considering other new ways of "extending" the "experience" music? theater games? riddles? (I would select the Ecuadorian tale, "The Search for the Magic Lake.")

Summary

At the beginning of the term I had, with help of staff, set down on paper a list of goals for the children. These included: To gain self-confidence and self-esteem. To learn about story sequencing. To learn about the expressive power of language. To have a new arena in which to work on the behavioral objectives established by school.

I had also submitted a long list of "Benefits of Storytelling in Therapeutic Settings." These were: To foster optimism. To promote socialization. To inspire laughter and delight. To promote trust between listeners and teller. To encourage emotional release. To externalize conflicts. To encourage "cognitive reframing." To teach respect for other cultures. To embody symbolic truths which can then be internalized.

As the term unfolded, I felt that all the goals were met in spades and the benefits illustrated. Yet how, finally, does one measure success in work like this? This is a question I no longer ask myself. Sometimes I feel like the Brave Little Parrot herself, desperately tossing a few drops of water on a blazing inferno in the hopes that my contributions will make a difference. For me to goal is to show up, share my stories, do the best job I can, reflect on the process. But I believe I do make a difference in the lives of these children. I believe that the stories was well as the activities that accompany them are offering doorways to hope and creative possibility. And in the process, I continue to learn and to grow.

My dream is that, in time, more people will choose to do compassionate, satisfying work like this. As this happens, the knowledge base will grow and storytellers will gain respect and a decent salary for doing it. Already the field of interactive biblio/poetry offers a pragmatic model which, I think, may provide a basis for storytellers to start from. It is this model which has structured the approach described here. I look forward to reactions about this essay. And I also look forward to learning about story work others are doing in the field. Let the rainstorm begin!

From Marianne Barnard

Learning to be a storyteller.

As I walk through the city of Chicago, passing every day, on the way to work people in need asking for help, I am reminded of what a friend, now deceased, told me when I complained that they. the needy, are there everyday. He said: They need everyday, they have to eat everyday." I never forgot that.

This little story with its change, the god reminded of what is needed, and gives from the ache in his heart. Is a good reminder when. Those in need more often do not need advice, but help.

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From Allison Cox

Cristy,
I like your approach of one story from the teller per session. I think this works well in setting the tone for that day and calling forth response from your listeners. And varying the creative activities helps the children find channels of response that suits them best. The passing of objects, naking rain and closing ritual all show careful thought went into your time with these kids - who need these tangible rituals to make concrete sense of their worlds. I can relate to your identifying with the little Parrot regarding desperately tossing a few drops of water on a blazing inferno in the hopes that my contributions will make a difference - and yet, over time, children, teachers, parents, etc. come back to me and tell me how the stories stay with them and come to mind again and again. I second your hope that "more people will choose to do compassionate, satisfying work like this." Keep on telling!

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from by Gail Rosen

I've been checking this page often to read other's comments and in doing that, thinking more about my response to both these stories. They are so very different in that the Parrot story seems to have at least one clear, on the surface "meaning" and Monkey Mind is much less "directed" in its meaning. What strikes me, though, in thinking about the stories I tell and the setting in which I tell them (often workshops or presentations where I "use" the stories as a part of a larger conversation) is that it all seems to work best when I am also a listener. In both of the essays, it seems clear to me that Laura and Cristy are both hearing the stories along with their listeners, entering into the world of the story, allowing the story to speak to them as well. This seems so essential and it's not something that I was so clearly aware of before.
Thanks.

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From R Dissa
Email: rajith@clara.co.uk

The Day before yesterday(7/Feb/07), Professor Wangarai Matthai, the first African woman to win the nobel prize quoted this story as a Japanese tale she had picked up about a hummingbird whizzing back and forth to put out a forest fire - I was quite sure it was derived fromt this Jataka. She was addressing a large gathering at the Royal Geographical Soc London. This nobel peace prize winner from Kenya has planted 30 million trees through a scheme set up in Kenya and she'd like us all to plant 1 billion trees ...

I'm still trying to find an original version of this story e.g. in The Jataka, the original translation of all 554 or so stories - but have no luck. Can anyone help?

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From True Thomas

Brave little parrot has a lot in common with the small animals can do great things (even if we are small we can make a difference)I beleive there is a similiar story where a gecko keeps digging in a dry waterhole, and eventually finds water. Likewise the frogs in the butter churn.(Keeps kicking and thus survives) My favorite is the American indian story of hummingbird pushing back the night (and creates stars in the process) Monkey mind is a great tale...I especially like the aspect of the monkey at the point of death pointing out that death will visit the hunter. I think the european take on this is "My speaking of death visiting your house, implies I have something to do with this..." aka curse, death magic etc. I wonder if the African spin on this is the same- death is an integral part of daily life (slaughtering livestock, etc.) at least on a village level. Does mentioning death imply that the person/or creature has power over it? Personally, I leave talking monkeys alone. True

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From Nyanna Susan Tobin

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot and Monkey Mind posted by Gail Rosen on January 09, 2001 at 08:49:12:

I've been checking this page often to read other's comments and in doing that, thinking more about my response to both these stories. They are so very different in that the Parrot story seems to have at least one clear, on the surface "meaning" and Monkey Mind is much less "directed" in its meaning.

What strikes me, though, in thinking about the stories I tell and the setting in which I tell them (often workshops or presentations where I "use" the stories as a part of a larger conversation) is that it all seems to work best when I am also a listener. In both of the essays, it seems clear to me that Laura and Cristy are both hearing the stories along with their listeners, entering into the world of the story, allowing the story to speak to them as well. This seems so essential and it's not something that I was so clearly aware of before. Thanks.

Thanks for pointing out the listening perspective. It is another example of the on-going paradox that unlolds when we examine what happens in a story circle. I going to tell this story today to my seniors from the perspective of a small animal in the forest. In many ways, because of memory loss ans illness, they feel lost and stripped of their power. They have also done many brave things in their long lives. Thanks for opening up more layers of this wonderfull story.Nyanna

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From True Thomas

I wrote my previous comments before reading yours- On the parrot side, interesting that the little parrot either shames or inspires the god to do something. Goes back to that old saying "most of mankinds gods have the manners and temperament of spoiled children" Betcha parrot acts as a psychopomp in other stories in that area as well. On the Monkey side---this is a bit morbid, but they are pretty sure that humans contracted HIV/AIDS from monkeys by eating "Bush Meat". As the human population grows, the Gorillas and whole species of monkeys have been wiped out or pushed to the brink of extinction by hunters. A variant of HIV is native in a lot of Monkey/ape populations. Chances are that a hunter skinning some bush meat cut themselves, (blood to blood contact) the virus made the jump, and lo and behold...Monkey was right... More proof that hunting talking monkeys is probably a bad idea.... (I'm thinking Doctor Doolittle was a Vegan, right?)

True (confirmed omnivore, excepting animals that deliver riddles of any sort)

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Posted by rafe martin on January 26, 2001 at 10:42:11:

Thanks Cristy for making such good use of my retelling (recreation actually) of "The Brave Little Parrot." The 2500 yea rold story is there to be used, to go out into the burning world like a few drops of water and do its job. Thanks!

I have known this story for twenty-five years and first began telling it at the Rochester Zen Center long ago. In the original jataka tale the god reaches up and squeezes water from a cloud. I found an internal response more unified—more Zenlike if you will-- and went with that in my retelling. I felt ok about that kind of shift as it grew out of my own years of Zen Buddhist practice and was not an "outsider" to the tradition and its unfolding life. (Traditions are not static. They live, breathe, and move!).

I have found adults responding VERY strongly and positively to this simple, mysterious little tale. It remains an encouragement to me. All our work as storytellers adds up to no more than a few drops of water. The world is on fire. What to do? The Brave Little Parrot remains an inspiration. The good news is that the kids you shared it with could simply ENJOY it! The healing power ot stories surely resides here--not in concepts but in the experience of being lifted out of the moment and reexperiencing the world with some joy and awakened imagination. Thank goodness for stories! And thanks for your wise use of the tale.

All best
rafe

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Posted by Cristy West on January 26, 2001 at 21:01:49:

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot posted by rafe martin on January 26, 2001 at 10:42:11:

Thanks, Rafe, for your comments about my essay. I was fascinated to learn how you had changed the tale, so that the god is moved to tears instead of "squeezing the cloud." For me that event—being moved to tears—is absolutely crucial to the story's force. Indeed, I can think of many other stories in which the hero or heroine arrives at an insolvable dilemma, "gives up" and is reduced to tears (of humility, compassion, furstration.) It is at this point that an invisible door opens, the forces of the universe are summoned and a transformation occurs. I think that listeners of all ages identify with this movement and, at an unconscious level, experience a shift toward healing. Such a powerful impact for this 'little" tale! You remind me that the fully "awakened imagination' arises from the heart! Thanks for this insight.
Cristy

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Posted by Nancy Mellon on January 27, 2001 at 19:38:50:

I think Cristy has succeeded in setting a standard for planning and reflecting upon storytelling in therapeutic settings. Thank you, Cristy, for your patience in presenting your work, and your exquisite, humble sense of responsibility to the children, and to the consciousness growing in this field of endeavor!

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Posted by Pam Spence on February 06, 2001 at 20:12:59:

I also work with special needs children as well as with juvenile offenders, using story in many forms. I liked this story a lot and could see an immediate use for it.My tendancy would be to change the intervention of the gods, however, to the parrot's actions serving as example for the other animals who are then inspired to join in the effort. I used to struggle with the ethics of changing significant elements in stories - but now I pretty much follow my gut. When I work with at risk populations, I want stories that support the notion that they have the power to make changes in their lives - that empowers them to act.

Good discussions here - glad I joined!

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Posted by Kimberley King on February 15, 2001 at 11:38:11:

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot posted by Pam Spence on February 06, 2001 at 20:12:59:

I think if you make a change like this, it guts the fundamental meaning of the story - which is that compassionate action brings help from spirit. This connection to spirit (Gods, God, Creator, whatever you want to call it) is what truly empowers. To change the story as you propose alters it at the most fundamental level.

At-risk kids usually haven't gotten much support from other people. I think they need to find the power that comes from within themselves, from their own spirits, from their own connection to greater being, first. The Little Parrot has the courage to be a lone crusader of the heart, in spite of the fact that his cause seems hopeless.

To me, this message is much stronger than, "If you do a good deed, you'll inpire others to help you." You might, and you might not. They might just laugh at you and let you go down. At-risk kids know all about that.

Kimberley

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Posted by Cristy West on February 09, 2001 at 20:15:31:

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot posted by Pam Spence on February 06, 2001 at 20:12:59:

Dear Pam,
I encourage you to use this story and do let me know how it goes. I also heartily recommend the technique of "making a thunderstorm" using hand gestures (palm-rubbing, finger-snapping, shoulder-clapping, thigh-thumping, foot-stomping and then the reverse) All ages seem to enjoy doing this!

I think your idea of changing the story is very interesting and there is nothing better than "trusting your gut." Indeed, I was so interested to learn, in this Forum, how Rafe Martin had changed the tale from the original. Please let me know how you would go about making the changes! My own way of emphasizing the heroism of the parrot's actions was not in changing the tale but rather in getting my groups to write group poems which focused on that element.

Thanks so much in participating in this discussion!
Cristy

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Posted by Pam Spence on February 10, 2001 at 07:39:19:

In Reply to: Re: Brave Little Parrot posted by Cristy West on February 09, 2001 at 20:15:31:

Cristy,

I think that most of us storytellers never tell the same tale twice. It has to do with "listening" or "tasting" the situation and making the necessary adaptions. With my autistic kids, I will have them join in, one by one, to accomplish something that one alone cannot manage. On this particular site, they are reeling from a worker having been convicted of numerous counts of child endangerment and sexual abuse with the kids. And so, I have to choose my stories very, very carefully.

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Posted by joan stockbridge on May 21, 2001 at 16:44:50:

thank you so much for the very useful and generous information about the whole storytelling session. I found details such as the talking stick, red rug, the kinds of activites, and the example of your process notes very helpful. I am a teller without any specific therapeutic training, but am very drawn to this kind of work, and have been telling twice a month in a Women's Shelter and also in a classroom for special needs students. I feel right at home with the telling, but expanding beyond the telling, into conversation and activity (which seems so essential for applied storytelling) is a whole new arena, and your comments were particularly helpful.

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Posted by Laura Simms on May 22, 2001 at 22:39:11:

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot posted by joan stockbridge on May 21, 2001 at 16:44:50:

What sort of stories do you tell in the Woman's Shelter and did you try the Brave Little Parrot after reading it?

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Posted by Dale Anthony Joseph Beaulieu on August 31, 2001 at 08:43:56:

Blessings, Healing community:

When I read the "Brave Little Parrot" it reminded me of a story where a man was tossing starfish back into the ocean. The beach was literaly littered with thousands of starfish. A cynical stranger came along and said, "Look at this beach. See the thousands of starfish. What you are doing is useless. It doesn't matter at all!" The tossing-man, held one starfish up to the cynic for appraisal: "Well, it matters to this [one] starfish."

~
When working with a social worker from the strengths perspective, I felt ~ severely ~ the pangs of the world during the close to 20 years I worked with him in recovery from bipolar and PTSD [every 2 to 5 minutes a woman is raped; every 1 to 3 minutes another woman is beaten by her husband; every 30 minutes a girl is molested by her father, etc. ~ ad infinitum]

Fundamentally I am a nondualist [when healthy] and sometimes a person with no boundaries or little emotional insulation [when ill]. During these times, I used to think during sessions, 'Here we are talking, talking, talking and there is black blood oozing out of the heart of the universe, the sense of the world is gone, gone, gone.'

I judged this counselor, who drove a Mercedes. I was so angry at all the woundedness not healed that I would envision all the suffering ones twirling around in the hub of his wheelcaps ~ a crazed Wheel of Misfortune ~ and, I would become angry that ~ though a healer, he was 'living' off this suffering. Even though I respected him more than any human alive, the hurt kept going ... Why could no one go the the source???!!!

Enter the parrot. Against impossible odds, the parrot acts. The parrot participates ~ he enters deeply into the sadness, tragedy, misfortune, brokenness, alientation, apartness that are part and parcel of our human Fool's journey [the destructive fire]. This parrot lives inside the trenches, like the Shekinah during exhile, not apart, not in gilded temples or Mt. Olympus-type safe barriers.

The parrot ~ though perhaps blessed with insight/enlightenment ~ uses his 'inner sight' to intimately align himself with Creation's ache, the conundrum of being. He mirrors the function Joseph Campbell gave to the death of Christ: [he] "joyfully participates in the sorrows of the world."

When I read, reread this tale ... I saw my social work counselor as a brave parrot. He could not stop the world's suffering, but he could create sacred space - at a very reasonable price - for me to share my hurt, hunger for wholeness. I receive the gentle droppings from his feathers ~ acquired at great cost to him. I am cooled; parrot-like, my counselor lives rooted in the commitment to enter into the pangs of being near my personal fire. Such action is both courageous and wise. There is respectful professional distance ~ still we are bound.

Perhaps the weeping diety is not a diety at all. But synchronicity unleashed by compassion: one holy/caring act can not occur in isolation ~ the universe MUST respond [as a still pond ripples from the toss of a single pebble] ~ to set in motion a series/system of healing events the like of which we can scarcely imagine.

The parrot still teaches:
I am learning not to reject [seemingly] tiny offerings against big problems ... [especially my own humble efforts]

I have learned that the tiny parrot lives in me

and that I can find him,
thank him,
deliver gentle
/~gassho~\
gratefulness,
and trust unseen support is on the way.
~

Special thanks to Rafe Martin & Jack Kornfield who brought this gentle, healing tale before me.

p.s. Maybe there is not, never was/will be GRAND HEALING ACTs, but all there are is tiny intentional increments toward a higher good /?\

Namaste,
Beau

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Posted by Tom on September 19, 2001 at 10:38:00:

In Reply to: Brave Little Parrot posted by Dale Anthony Joseph Beaulieu on August 31, 2001 at 08:43:56:

This should be a good story to use to help cope with the aftermath of the WTC bombings. For what good can we do by donating blood, or giving our pennies, or lighting a candle or flying a flag? We can be "Brave Little parrots", that's what.

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Posted by Dale Beaulieu on January 6, 2004

Blessings,
I found in classrooms that it is great to use the teacher as the river (the safe place) ... when I have the kids scurry around in the fire, I try to let them run free for a bit, then -- tag half of them that will be safe so they can huddle by teacher and watch.

I try to pick shy children for the parrot and eagle. And just before the eagle's tears fall, I have the rest of the forsest-beasts-children, crouch or lie down on the ground. The beauty of message and movement is great in this one. I found it better with kindergartners and first-grade than pre-schoolers.
Blessings,
Dale

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