The Monkey and the Bird's Nest

It was the middle of the monsoon season in the jungle. Dark clouds covered the sun, and the rain poured down in heavy, cold sheets. thunder rumbled in the distance.

On a large Mango tree, a group of Monkeys huddled together on a branch. They were soaked to the bone. Their fur was matted, and their teeth chattered with cold. “Ooh, ooh, brrr!” they shivered. “This rain is terrible. I wish it would stop.”

Hanging from the same branch was the beautiful nest of a little Weaver Bird. The nest was a marvel of engineering—woven tightly from grass and leaves, with a cozy chamber inside that was perfectly dry and warm. The little Bird sat comfortably inside her home, watching the rain.

She looked out and saw the monkeys suffering. She felt pity for them. “Hello, Mr. Monkey,” she chirped. “You look very miserable.”

The Monkey glared at her. “Can’t you see we are freezing?” he growled.

“I have a question,” said the Bird gently. “You Monkeys are big and strong. You have two hands and two feet, just like humans. Why don’t you build a house for yourselves? Then you would be safe from the rain and wind, just like me.”

She continued, “Look at me. I am a tiny bird. I have no hands, only a beak. Yet, I worked hard and built this nest. Surely, with your strong hands, you could build a much better house!”

The Bird meant well. She was giving good advice. But the Monkey was proud and foolish. He was also irritable because of the cold. Her words stung his ego.

“How dare you!” shouted the Monkey. “You tiny, insignificant thing! You think you are better than me because you have a warm nest? You are mocking me!”

“No, no,” said the Bird. “I only meant—”

“Shut up!” screamed the Monkey. “I will teach you a lesson for giving advice to your superiors!”

Filled with rage, the Monkey leaped towards the bird’s nest. With his strong hands, he grabbed the beautiful woven house and tore it from the branch. Rrrrip! He shredded the nest into pieces and threw the grass onto the muddy ground.

“There!” yelled the Monkey. “Now you don’t have a house either! Now you can freeze like us!”

The poor Weaver Bird flew away in the rain to find shelter in a hollow tree trunk. She was sad about her home, but she learned an important truth that day. Giving advice to a fool is useless. It only brings anger, not gratitude.

Moral of the Story: Do not offer advice to fools. They will mistake your wisdom for an insult.