Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons. They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen. He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.
Months passed, and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly.
He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch.
Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, “May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem.” So he cried out to his court, “Go and get a farmer.”
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens. He said to his court, “Bring me the doer of this miracle.”
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king. The king asked him, “How did you make the falcon fly?”
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, “It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting.”
“We are all made to fly — to realize our incredible potential as human beings. But at times we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us. The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered. We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, and the mundane. So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling. Let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight!”
Image Credit: Birds Gallery
Hi Sandee, this is a very good post. It is so true that most of us tend to cling to familiar things and dare not go forth into the unfamiliar areas for fear of the unknown. I used to be one of them. I thank God that I am more or less set free to explore many unknown areas and there is much more to explore out there. Have a lovely Tuesday!
It's a normal process to hang onto what's comfortable. 🙂
This is such a great post! Thank you for sharing it!
You are most welcome Lauren. 🙂
Sometimes you really do have to cut the branch. 🙂
Yes if you want to grow in different ways. 🙂
Nice post Sandee and so true too I am a bit like that heheh!
Have a unknowntastic day :-h :-f :-f :-f
I think we all are Steve. Quite normal. 🙂
Wow. Thank you.
You're most welcome. 🙂
So true 🙂
It is indeed. 🙂
But I like my little branch. My branch makes me happy. Why do I have to leave my happy little branch just to make the king happy? 🙂
big hugs xoxo
You can stay on your little branch. If you're happy, and you are, then you're doing what you need to do. 🙂
Yep, we all need to spread our wings and fly…but always come back home.
Big hugs, honey…
Yes, there is no place like home. 🙂
What a good lesson. It is hard to give up that branch of security but it is a good idea. Thanks Sandee. Sandee, you and Zane have a really fun day.
Now and then we need to expand our horizons. 🙂
Wow…this is so true!
Happy December to you!
Looks like there is competition for the ebook 🙂
And happy December to you too. 🙂
Competition is a good thing. 🙂
This is amazing, Sandee, and very true! So often we cling on to the familiar for fear that we will not be able to handle the unknown, but when we face our fears, amazing things can happen! 🙂
The unknown can be very scary. Sometimes we do need to step out of our comfort zone. 🙂
Important lesson in that story. Thanks for sharing it.
You're most welcome Jean. 🙂
It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're locked in this damn cage.
Ha Ha Ha!!!
You crack me up Kismet. 🙂
Kismet is quite a funny bird. 🙂
excellent lesson to be learned! Thanks!
A hard lesson at times, but very rewarding for the most part. 🙂
It's so hard to leave the branch though! Great lesson and one we need to remember!
Happy Tortie Tuesday Sandee!
It is isn't it. Happy Tortie Tuesday to you too, 🙂
Oh my gosh, I love this! I need to print it out and put it over my computer.
Lately I've been enjoying the gentle reminders about what's important and what's not. 🙂
True enough. Cutting the branch or tether that holds us frozen can be really scary, but it's worth it.
It is more than worth it. 🙂
You just need to contact the right person. The Farmer must've been the Branch Manager.
Really great parable Sandee
You crack me up Tony. Branch Manager. 🙂
Great moral and smart farmer!
Yes on both counts Ron. 🙂
Wise words. I'm such a creature of habit… I need a reminder like this now and then.
So do I cube, so do I. 🙂
this is an excellent story. very wise words
Yes it is Ann. Fear can hold us back from some wonderful things. 🙂
What a great post. I love the message behind this story. It is so true – we often hold ourselves back from often times GREAT things. 🙂
I know I have Kristi. I just need to remind myself to let go now and then. 🙂
That is very true. It can be intimidating to step out of our comfort zone.
Very intimidating to step out of our comfort zone, but ever so rewarding when we do. 🙂
Wonderful, a brilliant moral to a story that I thought was going to be a joke. Thanks.
Sometimes I go for a brilliant moral. Like this day. 🙂