How A  Bird Went Free

Once a god  was dozing  under  a tree 
when a bird lit on his  forehead. 
Thinking his eyebrow was a worm, 
the bird started to peck at it, 
just as the unwary god opened one eye. 

The bird pecked it out.

You have swallowed my eye, 
cried the angry god, grabbing the bird.
Now I will swallow you.

I meant no harm, peeped the tiny  bird.

Perhaps. But you have harmed me all the same and must pay.

How can I pay for an eye? asked the bird.

Sit  where my eye used to be and tell me everything  you see, said the 
god.

For ten thousand days the bird sat in the empty socket, 
telling the god what lay ahead.  
The bird was  so dutiful that the god grew lazy
and kept his good eye shut. 
Soon his eyelids grew together.   
When the bird realized what had happened, she flew away,
 leaving the god alone and  blind. 

And that is why it is better to trust one eye that is your own 
than two that are another's.

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