How A God Helped A Pigeon

 
Once a god came upon a pigeon waddling this way and that.
Whichever way the pigeon waddled, 
that way went the god.
 
Why are you following me?  asked the pigeon.
 
It simply happens,  replied the god, 
that I am going where you are going.
 
Well, I am looking for food, said the pigeon.
 
Perhaps I can help, said the god. 
 
Why? asked the pigeon.
 
Because, said the god,without help you might die.
 
Thank you, said the pigeon,but I do not need help. 
 
The god went his way and forgot the pigeon until,
one day, he found it
fluttering helplessly on the ground.
 
I was looking for food when a hawk struck me from behind. 
whimpered the pigeon.I think my back is broken.
 
The god put the pigeon in a cage, 
and every morning he went looking for seed 
that had fallen along the horizon
to feed the pigeon who could no longer feed itself.
 
And that is why it is often better to accept help 
when one can refuse it than to wait until one cannot.
 

 
 

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