When the Parrot's father says that his "strength is spent," the Parrot willingly takes on the leadership role, and won't let his parents do any more work. He seems happy to be able to serve them, and he also seems to believe that it is his duty.
The Parrot thinks of his parents as very dear, and never complains about bringing food for them.
Even when the Parrot is captured, he thinks of others. He does not cry out when he is trapped, even though it must have been very painful, because he does not want to startle his flock before they eat.
It's very sad when the Parrot's flock leaves him when they hear him crying out. However, the Parrot doesn't condemn them, but instead is sad and wonders if he has sinned against them.
Why is the Brahmin so harsh with the Parrot even though he loves him? Maybe to test him?
I like the way the Parrot explains what he is doing with the rice: paying off a debt to his parents, giving a loan to his babies, and storing up treasure for others.
It is made clear that the Parrot has no greed, both when he is captured and when he is rewarded. He only takes what he and his family need and no more, even though more is offered to him. I like that the Parrot has the honor of taking his parents to a wonderful place with enough food for them at the end of the story.
The Elephant that Was Honored in Old Age
In this story, the main character is not Buddha but instead a hard-working elephant. Buddha helps her to be honored again after the king disrespects her. Buddha and the story place the emphasis on the elephant, and Buddha's role is helping her.
The elephant is so pitiful because she devoted her life to working for the king and did a great job but was discarded as soon as she was no longer useful. I think many people have felt, at times, as if some people who they serve would throw them out if they were no longer useful.
The Buddha's line about the king only honoring the elephant because he thought he would continue to get something out of her is very powerful. The king should have honored the elephant because she deserved it, not because he wanted to gain something.
The king does not even realize that he is doing something wrong at first. He answers the Buddha in confusion when asked where the elephant is. He changes his ways after hearing the Buddha's message.
The king reminds me of the Parrots flock in "The Parrot that Fed His Parents." Both leave unprotected and vulnerable someone who has helped and been devoted to them. There is a theme of self-sacrifice as well as a theme of others not recognizing or being grateful for that sacrifice.
Elephant statue outside the Dhammikarama Buddhist Temple in Penang, Malaysia.
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Bibliography: Eastern Stories and Legends by Marie Shedlock. Link to the reading online.
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