Once, a man caught an old bird in the forest.
Bird said, “I am of no use to anyone. My body is old and weak, my life is near its end. I can no longer sing, and my voice has lost its sweetness. What will you gain by keeping me? But if you agree to let me go, I will reveal three principles of life to you.”
Man asked, “What if I release you and you don’t tell me anything?”
Bird replied, “I will tell you the first principle while still in your hands. If you find it valuable, you may then release me. I will share the second principle when I sit on that tree, and the third only after I fly into the sky.”
Bird was old, its voice lacked charm, it could not be sold in the market, and its days were numbered. The man realized there was no point in keeping it.
He agreed, “Alright, I accept your terms. Tell me the first principle.”
Bird said, “I have seen people who remain unhappy because they cannot forget the past. And I have seen people full of joy because they let go of what is gone and live fully in the present. That is the first principle.”
Recognizing its value, the man released the bird.
Bird perched on a tree, and the man asked for the second principle.
Bird said, “Never believe anything that goes against reason or common sense. Blind faith leads one astray.”
Then the bird flew into the sky. While soaring, it said, “Here is a piece of news, not the third principle. You made a mistake by letting me go — there were two precious diamonds hidden inside my body. Had you killed me, you would have become a millionaire today.”
Man was deeply saddened and worried. The bird was already far above, flying freely.
With a heavy heart, he pleaded, “Alright, but at least tell me the third principle.”
Bird replied, “There is no need now. You did not follow the first two principles. I told you to forget the past, yet you regret releasing me. I told you not to believe anything illogical, yet you believed a bird could contain diamonds.
The third principle would have been wasted on you. Only those who understand and practice the first two can grasp it.”
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