How can virtues be measured?

 In the land of Silbaripuram, the Guru's hermitage was situated in a place of scenic beauty. Various kinds of birds would sing pure melodies all around in the morning. Among them, the most beautiful sounds were those of the cuckoo and the hoopoe.

One day - "Coo..."

That was the sound of a cuckoo. The chief disciple woke up in the morning and when he heard it, his face brightened. A little while later, when a donkey cried "Bray...", he found it unpleasant and frowned. The Guru, who noticed this, merely looked at him and smiled, saying nothing.

That evening came. Hearing the cry of a bird, he asked the Guru, "Guruji, why is that bird crying?"

He replied, "That is the cuckoo whose voice you enjoyed so beautifully this morning. It went to lay its eggs in a crow's nest, and those birds are pecking at it and chasing it away."

Disciple: "Can't the cuckoo lay its eggs in its own nest?"

Guru: "If it lays eggs, it doesn't have the heart to sit on them without eating until they hatch."

At the same time, a donkey was passing by their path, carrying a load and walking peacefully with its master.

The Guru continued: "Look at the good service the donkey, whose sound you found unpleasant this morning, is doing now."

Food for thought - Many who are judged by the world to be great because of their beautiful voice and appearance may have such deceit hidden within. Society often despises those who silently do their heavy work day and night, like the donkey!