The Bird Chief

THEY called all the birds. They said, "The bird which, flying farthest, can reach the upper world, shall be chief." All the birds high in the air went to equal heights. Now Wren sat beneath the thick feathers of Eagle's wing. He sat there as Eagle flew.

The birds, all wing-tired, returned to earth. Only Eagle went above. When Eagle had gone as high as he could, Wren flew beyond him. When the birds had returned below, they waited. Eagle returned alone after a long time. They counted the birds. Behold! Wren only, he had not returned. They waited for him. At length, after a long time, he returned. Eagle was too highly thinking of himself, when behold, Wren was made chief.