One Small Bird – April 17

There was a fire in the forest.  All the animals were running, leaping, or flying to escape the flames.  One small bird flew to the other side of the river and sat on a branch looking back at the flames.  He asked the other animals, “Aren’t you going to do something. It’s our home.”  No response.  The bird said, “I am someone. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.”  He flew down to the river and got a bill-full of water and flew over to drop it on the fire. 

High above, the gods laughed at the chaos below.  One god said, “What is that little bird doing?  I will go see.”  He assumed his eagle form, flew down and spoke with the bird.  When the eagle returned, he put off his eagle form and spoke to the other gods. He said, “The bird says that he is but one and will do what he can.” 

And the gods wept, and their tears fell like rain and put out the fire.  (Story adapted from a Jataka Tale)

I am but one.  Like the little bird, I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  Therefore, let me do the something that I can do.  I cannot end the pandemic.  But I can shelter at home.  I can make masks. I can social distance. I can get my shots.

But there is more that I can do.  I can look beyond myself to see if there are ways that I can serve others.  I pick up the phone and call a friend. Or I text others. I send cards or emails.  I can share baked goodies.  I tell stories on the Zoom platform. I can be kind in all my actions. My “something” is small, but it matters.