The Bird and the Hare

A story based on Book of Inspiration, chapter 12.

Many ages ago, when the earth was new and the stars still whispered their wisdom to the rivers, the Great Spirit walked among the creatures. In those days, all life moved in harmony, each creature carrying the wisdom of its purpose within its heart.

One day, a young bird perched on the branch of a cedar tree. Her feathers were soft and new, and her heart was full of questions. She called out to the Great Spirit, who was near, watching the wind ripple through the tall grass.

“Great Spirit,” she chirped, “how will I know how to build my nest? Should I ask the river how it carries its fish? Or the trees how they hold their leaves?” The Great Spirit smiled. “Little one, the river flows without asking, and the tree holds its leaves without instruction. You, too, carry your wisdom within you. When the time comes, your heart will know where to gather sticks, how to weave them tight, and where to hide your eggs from the eyes of the hawk.”

Satisfied, the bird flew off, her wings cutting the air with new confidence.

Not far from the cedar tree, a hare sat in the shadow of a boulder, her long ears twitching as the Great Spirit approached. The hare’s young hopped near her feet, their movements clumsy and uncertain. The hare looked up and said, “Great Spirit, my children are slow, and the fox is clever. How will they learn to run fast enough to escape?” The Great Spirit crouched beside the hare, resting a hand on her soft fur. “Mother of the meadow, your children already carry the gift of speed. When the wind stirs the grass and the shadow of the fox moves, they will leap and run. They do not need your words, only your courage to guide them. Trust that I have made them as they need to be.”

The hare flicked her ears in understanding, her worry fading like the morning mist.

The Great Spirit rose and looked across the land, watching the bird fly to her tree and the hare nudge her young into the safety of the brush. The Spirit spoke softly, as if to the earth itself: “Each creature I have made moves as it was meant to move, without teaching or instruction. The bird does not question the strength of her wings, and the hare does not doubt the swiftness of her feet. They are perfect in their way, as the sun rises without struggle and the river flows without hesitation.”

And so, the bird built her nest high among the cedar’s branches, strong and sure. The hare’s young grew strong in the meadows, their legs quick as the wind when the fox appeared. Each lived as the Great Spirit intended, moving in harmony with the world, their wisdom as natural as the breath in their lungs.

Even now, the bird flies and the hare runs, carrying the lesson that all are made perfect in their way, if only they trust the gifts given to them by the Great Spirit.

What we learn from this story is that each being is created with the wisdom and abilities it needs to fulfill its purpose. Trust in the gifts given by Creator, because they are enough. There is no need to compare, doubt, or seek outside what already lies within. Harmony comes from embracing your true nature and walking the path you were made to follow.