The Parrot’s Warning: A Lesson for His Son

The Tale
In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a wise parrot, the leader of many other parrots. He had one beloved son, who he entrusted to care for them as he and his wife grew old and their eyesight failed. Unable to fly or leave their nest, they became entirely dependent on their son.

One day, while perched atop a mountain, the young parrot spotted a distant island with a mango grove bursting with ripe fruit. The next day, he flew to the island and brought back a mango for his parents. As the Bodhisatta tasted the mango, he recognized the flavor and immediately knew where it had come from. He warned his son that parrots who visit the island rarely live long, for it was dangerous. He advised the young parrot to avoid it. But the son, eager to provide, ignored his father’s warning and returned to the island the following day.

This time, as the young parrot flew back over the ocean with a mango in his beak, he grew tired and fell asleep mid-flight. He crashed into the water, and a large fish devoured him. Without their son to care for them, the Bodhisatta and his wife soon grew weak from hunger, and ultimately, they both passed away.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
The young parrot in this story was an earlier birth of one of the Buddha’s disciples, a man who, in his previous life, had been prone to indulgence, particularly overeating. The disciple’s gluttony had led to his untimely death in that life, just as it did in the parrot’s story. When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing the death of this particular disciple, he shared this story to demonstrate that it was not the first time his indulgence had caused his downfall.

Moral
The story of the parrot and his son illustrates the consequences of ignoring wise counsel and indulging in desires without regard for the long-term consequences. It also highlights the idea that habitual behavior, especially when driven by unchecked appetites, can lead to misfortune or even death. Through this tale, the Buddha teaches his disciples the importance of moderation and self-control, as well as the value of listening to those who offer wisdom based on experience.