There lived a large group of monkeys in a jungle, always self sure, opinionated and garrulow. The winter came and the coldest temperature arrived.  The monkeys were shivering like leaves. Even mutual hugs and embracing one another tight against their own wishes was of no avail. The cold was eating into their marrows and they were miserable. They had seen some men often sitting huddled together around a wooden fire and getting relief from cold. The monkeys knew that fire meant brightness. They had also seen that the men blew air through their mouths to light back a dwindling fire. So they
decided that lighting a fire would bring an end to their sufferings.

An enthusiastic and young monkey had seen glowworms moving around in the night with their bright abdomens. He decided that using such a glowworm, they could light a campfire. With a lot of difficulty the group gathered some timber pieces and the youth sat in front of the heap of timber with a glowworm in hand and stated blowing at it in the hope that a fire will be made soon.

An old and wise monkey was watching the foolish with amusement. He knew the glowworm had nothing to do with fire. But he kept quiet, because he was sure his advice would fall only on deaf ears.

A tiny bird with needle shaped beak, Soocheemukhee, was also watching this fire-exercise. She fluttered around the young monkey making noises to warn him that the glowworm will not give any fire.

Please note, it was none of her business to give advise. First the monkey ignored her and went on with his meticulous blowing of the worm, but in time, the youngster go irritated. In rage, he caught the bird and threw her hard on a rough rock and killed her.

The old monkey muttered to himself - "It was good that I did not say anything otherwise they have treated me with the same attitude. I knew it all the while, but I kept quite, so I am alive. That brat of a bird wisecracked and was smashed to death. Silence is golden, especially when the alternative is to talk to cruel idiots.

Silence is golden, instead of talking to cruel idiots.

THE END