WHY DO OWLS STARE?
Once upon a time, an owl and a pigeon were good friends. Though different in nature, they often spent time talking and sharing their thoughts.
One day, the owl puffed up his feathers proudly and said, “I believe there are far more owls in this world than pigeons.”
The pigeon burst into laughter. “You must be joking! We pigeons are everywhere. We easily outnumber you.”
The owl frowned, unwilling to accept defeat. “Then let us settle this with a count!” he declared.
“Agreed,” cooed the pigeon calmly. “But first, we must choose a proper place. We will need plenty of space for everyone to gather.”
The owl thought for a while and suggested, “Let us meet in the Big Woods. There are many trees there.”
“Very well,” said the pigeon. “You inform all the owls, and I will gather my flock. We will meet in one week—on the seventh day, one hour after sunrise. Anyone who arrives late will not be counted.”
The owl nodded. “Agreed!” he hooted, and both friends flew off to spread the news.
Days passed, and at last, the seventh day arrived. As the sun rose, the owls gathered in the Big Woods. They perched confidently on the branches, filling several trees.
“Toowit! Toowit! It seems the pigeons are still asleep,” they hooted mockingly.
Just then, a strange darkness began to fall over the woods. The owls looked up in surprise as enormous clouds rolled in from all directions. Thunder seemed to rumble in the sky.
But soon, they realized the truth—the “clouds” were not clouds at all. They were pigeons!
Thousands upon thousands of pigeons swooped down, their wings beating loudly as they filled the sky. They covered the sunlight and descended upon the trees in great numbers. Branches bent and snapped under their weight. The owls were pushed closer and closer together.
Startled and frightened, the owls widened their eyes and turned their heads from side to side in disbelief. The pigeons kept coming in endless flocks.
Afraid of being crushed, the owls finally took flight and escaped into the open sky.
From that day on, the owls chose to come out only at night, when pigeons were fast asleep. And ever since, they have kept their eyes wide open, always watching carefully—just in case the pigeons return.
Moral: Pride and overconfidence can lead to embarrassment. It is wise to be humble and know the truth before making bold claims.
