Long ago, in the green forests of Gabon, the animals and the birds lived together in peace. The forest was alive with sound, as the cries of the beasts blended with the songs of the birds. For a time, harmony ruled the land, and each creature enjoyed its place in the wide kingdom of nature.
But peace does not always last. One day, a quarrel began between the beasts and the birds. It started as a small argument, but soon it grew into a storm of pride and boasting.
The beasts gathered together first. Leopard spoke with his powerful voice, “We beasts are the true rulers of the forest. Our claws and teeth make us strong. Our feet rule the ground. Without us, the forest would be empty.” Elephant lifted his great trunk and added, “It is true. Who can move the earth as I do? Who can push down trees or shake the ground? Surely the beasts are greater than the birds.”
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The birds, hearing these words, were angered. They gathered in the tall trees and filled the air with their voices. Parrot, with feathers bright and eyes sharp, cried out, “You beasts think yourselves mighty, but what of the skies? We birds rule the heavens. We fly where you cannot reach. Our songs fill the world with beauty. Without us, the forest would fall silent.” Hawk spread his wings wide and said, “Who can dive as I can? Who can strike from above with speed and strength? Surely the birds are greater than the beasts.”
Back and forth they argued, each side certain of its own greatness. The beasts roared from the earth, and the birds shrieked from the skies. Soon the quarrel grew so fierce that both sides threatened war. The forest trembled with the noise of their anger, and peace seemed far away.
In the middle of the quarrel stood Tortoise. He was slow, but he was wise, and both beasts and birds respected his counsel. When the voices rose too loud, he lifted his shell and stepped forward. “Brothers and sisters,” Tortoise said calmly, “why do you fight over who is greater? The forest is wide enough for both of you. Beasts, you rule the ground, but can you touch the sky? Birds, you soar in the heavens, but can you move upon the earth as the beasts do? Each of you has a gift. Each of you has a place. Without the beasts, the earth would lack strength. Without the birds, the skies would lack beauty. You need each other.”
The animals grew silent, and the birds folded their wings. Tortoise’s words were like cool rain after a storm. They thought of how the forest would feel without the beating of wings or the sound of heavy footsteps. They remembered that both song and roar belonged to the same land.
Slowly, the anger faded. The beasts bowed their heads, and the birds lowered their wings. They agreed that neither side was greater, for both were needed to make the forest whole. From that day, the beasts and the birds no longer argued about who was more important. Instead, they lived in harmony, each respecting the gifts of the other.
And so, the forest of Gabon once again rang with both the cries of the beasts and the songs of the birds, joined together in balance and peace.
Moral Lesson
The story of The Quarrel of the Beasts and the Birds teaches that pride and division bring only conflict, while unity brings peace. Every group and every individual has a unique strength, and no one is complete alone. Just as the forest needs both the beasts of the ground and the birds of the sky, communities thrive when people respect each other’s roles and work together in harmony.
Knowledge Check
What is the main lesson of The Quarrel of the Beasts and the Birds?
The story teaches that unity and respect for differences prevent conflict, while pride and boasting cause division.Why did the beasts believe they were greater than the birds?
They believed their strength, claws, and control of the ground made them superior.What did the birds claim as their strength?
The birds claimed the skies, their ability to fly, and their songs that filled the forest with beauty.Who brought peace during the quarrel?
Tortoise brought peace by reminding both sides that each had unique gifts and needed one another.What almost happened because of the quarrel?
The beasts and the birds nearly went to war because of their pride and boasting.How was harmony restored in the forest?
Harmony was restored when both sides accepted Tortoise’s wisdom and agreed to respect each other’s roles.Cultural Origin: Gabonese folktale (Mpongwe Tribe), recorded by Robert H. Nassau in Where Animals Talk: West African Folklore Tales (1914).
