A sparrow had four fledglings in a swallow's nest. When they were ready to fly, some naughty boys destroyed the nest. Fortunately, a strong wind carried all the young birds to safety. The father sparrow was grieved, for his sons had ventured into the world without his guidance on its many dangers.
In autumn, many sparrows gathered in a wheatfield. There, the old sparrow joyfully reunited with his four children and brought them home. "Ah, my dear sons," he said, "how I have worried all summer! You left without my teachings. Now, listen to your father and be cautious. Little birds face great perils!"
He then asked the eldest where he had spent the summer and how he had fed himself.
"I stayed in gardens," replied the eldest, "hunting for caterpillars and small worms until the cherries ripened."
"Titbits are tempting, my son," said the father, "but they come with risk. Be especially wary of people in gardens carrying long, hollow green poles with a small hole at the top."
"But father," asked the son, "what if a green leaf is stuck over the hole with wax?"
"Where did you see that?"
"In a merchant's garden."
"Ah," said the father, "merchants are clever folk. Since you've moved among worldly people, you've learned their cunning. Use it wisely, and never be overconfident."
Next, the father asked his second son, "Where did you stay?"
"At court," he answered.
"Sparrows are of little use there," warned the father. "It's a place of gold, velvet, silk, and dangerous birds of prey. Stay in the stables where oats are winnowed or threshed, and you may find your daily grain in peace."
"Yes, father," said the son, "but stable-boys set traps and snares in the straw, and many birds are caught."
"Where did you see this?"
"At court, among the stable-boys."
"Court boys are wicked!" exclaimed the father. "If you've been among lords and lost no feathers, you've learned much. But stay vigilant, for even the wisest dogs are devoured by wolves."
The father then turned to the third son. "Where did you find safety?"
"I foraged on cart-roads and highways," he said, "pecking at broken tubs and ropes, and sometimes finding a grain of corn or barley."
"That is fine fare," said the father, "but be watchful. Look around carefully, especially if you see someone stooping to pick up a stone. Then, you must flee quickly."
"That is true," replied the son, "but what if someone carries a rock or ore ready in his pocket?"
"Where have you seen that?"
"Among the mountaineers, dear father. They often carry bits of ore when they go out."
"Mountain folk are hardworking and clever," said the father. "You have learned from them, but beware. Many a sparrow has met a bad end from a mountain boy."
Finally, the father addressed his youngest, weakest son. "My dear chirping nestling, stay with me. The world is full of fierce birds with crooked beaks and long claws, waiting to swallow little ones like you. Stay with your own kind, pick spiders and caterpillars from trees or houses, and you will live in peace."
"My dear father," said the youngest, "he who feeds himself without harming others lives well. No hawk, eagle, or kite will hurt him if he commends himself and his lawful food to God each morning and evening. For God is the Creator and Preserver of all birds. He hears the cry of the young ravens, and not a single sparrow falls to the ground without His will."
"Where did you learn this?" asked the astonished father.
"When the great wind tore me from you," the son answered, "I came to a church. All summer, I picked flies and spiders from the windows and heard this teaching. The Father of all sparrows fed me and kept me safe from misfortune and fierce birds."
"Indeed, my son," said the father, "if you take refuge in churches, help clear away spiders and flies, cry to God like the young ravens, and commend yourself to the eternal Creator, all will be well with you—even if the whole world were full of wild, malicious birds."
He who to God commits his ways,
In silence suffers, waits, and prays,
Preserves his faith and conscience pure,
He is of God's protection sure.