The Sparrow’s Nest

 Written by: Nasratullah Samim

Once two sparrows, Long-tailed and Gray were shifted to a village from a tropical area. It was late evening when they reached the village and they did not know where to live.

They saw a fort with big towers and became happy. When they went there to the towers, all sparrows had made nests for themselves and they became very disappointed that no sparrow invited them to their nests.

Meanwhile, a mina showed them an old wall and wanted them to make a nest for themselves in that wall.

Long-tailed and Gray went toward the wall.

They saw an old nest in the wall and when they entered the nest, they saw that the ceiling of the nest was very old. Rainwater was flowing inside the nest.

Gray suggested the Long-tailed to help him in cleaning and reparing the nest but Long-tailed denied and said that they will clean and repair the nest some other time.

Gray climbed on the top of the wall and said to Long-tailed that he will repair the roof of the nest. When Gray started his work, the Long-tailed got angry and said to Gray that why he is throwing clods and dust in the nest.

Gray came back to the nest and repeated his word to help him in repairing the nest but Long-tailed denied and a fight took place between them. Long-tailed drove away the Gray from the nest.

Gray left the Long-tailed alone and she went to another wall and repaired an old nest for himself.

One day, Gray went out to visit Long-tailed but she did not find him.

Meanwhile, thunder and storm started. Long-tailed came home.

Gray asked Long-tailed that what could he do with rain.

Long-tailed replied that she will repair the nest now. Gray said that he could not work in the rain but Long-tailed did accept and she entered into the nest. She saw that rainwater was accumulated inside the nest and there was no place left for living. Long-tailed wanted to hide somewhere else but the wind fell him down on the ground and he cried.

Gray took the Long-tailed to her nest. Long-tailed liked the nest and said to Gray that he had built a very warm nest.

Gray said that she has not built it, she has just repaired it.

Long-tailed realized his mistake and said that each task should be done on time and he promised that she would never postpone his work for the future.