The Bittern and the Hoopoe

A man asked an old cowherd, “Where do you like to feed your cows the best?” “Right here, sir, where the grass is neither too rich nor too poor. Otherwise it’s no use.” “Why not?” asked the man. “Do you hear that sad cry from the meadow?” said the shepherd. “That is the bittern. He was once a shepherd, and so was the hoopoe. I will tell you the story.

The bittern grazed his cows on lush green meadows full of flowers. The cows grew wild and hard to control. The hoopoe led his cattle to high, barren hills where the wind blew sand around. His cows became thin and weak.

In the evening, when the shepherds wanted to drive the cows home, the bittern could not get his herd together. They were too lively and ran away. He called, “Come, cows, come!” but they did not listen. The hoopoe could not even make his cows stand up, they were so faint and weak. He screamed, “Up, up, up!” but they stayed lying on the sand.

That is what happens when you have no moderation. Even today, though they no longer watch flocks, the bittern cries, “Come, cows, come!” and the hoopoe cries, “Up, up, up!”