The swallow within us

One of Aesop’s fables narrates the story of a Swallow – a bird well known for its forethought. A farmer was sowing some hemp (the fibre of cannabis plant, extracted from the stem and used to make rope) seeds in a field where a Swallow and few other birds were hopping about finding food. Noticing this, the Swallow warned other birds. “He is sowing hemp seed; carefully pick up each and every seed. Don’t allow it to grow or else you will regret later”. 

However the birds dismissed Swallow’s advice and continued their business. As time passed by, hemp grew up and was turned into cords. Nets were made from the cords for capturing birds. 

The birds that previously didn’t pay heed to Swallow’s words were stuck in those nets. They saw the Swallow perched on top of a nearby tree and heard it say “Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin”.    

There is also a Chinese proverb that emphasizes one to put an end to the evil in its early stages. In English there is a saying “A small fire is soon quenched”. It is easy to acknowledge the fact that it will take less time and efforts to quench a small fire that has just begun. If it is allowed to spread, it will get out of control and eventually engulf everything. 

On the same lines, we should constantly be on the lookout for “hemp” seeds in our life and destroy them immediately. The hemp seeds may be in the form of ill habits, wicked people in the guise of friends or anything that impacts our self-growth. 

If we allow them to flourish, we are bound to face the consequences later and we will have to pay a heavy price. We ought to intently listen to the swallow within us and follow its guidance.

What do you think are “hemp” seeds in your life?

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