A short conversation between a cage-bird and a crow
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Once upon a time, there was a caged bird who would get weekly visits from a free bird. The free bird would fly far and wide. When it was done with its travels, the free bird would come back and tell the caged bird all about the world and its experiences. For awhile, the caged bird was content with these visits. However, one sunny day the caged bird thought, ‘I want to go and see all these marvelous things for myself!’ When the free bird came back again, the cage bird said, “I had the most wonderful idea when you were away! I was thinking that you could let me out. Then I could fly away! Wouldn’t it be great? I would be free, and you wouldn’t have to come here and tell me about the world. I would see it for myself.” The free bird hesitated for a moment, appearing startled. Then it said, “Well, that sounds nice. But if you leave, who will I come visit?
You don’t understand how great it is to be able to rest after all my travels. And it’s so good to talk to you about what I see. No one else out there understands me.” “I’d understand you better if we were both free.” “Oh, but I’m not free,” laughed the free bird, “not exactly. You see, caged bird, there are so many dangers I have to constantly flee from. There are hunters, foxes, and bigger birds that would love to eat me. I don’t tell you about these dreadful things because I don’t wish to frighten you.” The cage bird felt mildly indignant. “Even if there are hunters, foxes, and bigger birds as you say, what makes you think I couldn’t avoid them? After all, you seem to be able to. Clearly there must be a way to stay safe while being free.” The free bird insisted that it knew the world better and that a caged bird wouldn’t know what to do with itself. “Let’s just keep things the way they are,” the free bird said in a sympathetic tone before flying away.