Quote from The Conference of the Birds

The Conference of the Birds

retold by Alexis York Lumbard, with illustrations by Demi

Wisdom Tales Press, World Wisdom Publishing, Bloomington, Indiana     © 2014     44 pp.

  
Late one moonless night 

in a far corner of the world 

there gathered a large flock 

of birds. They gathered in sorrow,

since they had been, for so very

long, deprived of a king. No king

to uphold the law. No king to

keep the peace. No king to share

the wisdom. A hush came over the

crowd when the bird with black-

tipped feathers on her head and

a sacred prayer inscribed upon

her beak stepped forward:

"My feathered friends, do not despair,

I know you feel alone.

But rise and cheer, we have a King!

I've seen his golden throne.

"He waits for you, my feathered friends,

Our King Simorgh the Wise.

With Him you'll find a love that's true,

A love that never dies.

"And though the quest is long and hard,

You'll never be the same.

Commit yourselves to finding Him,

There is no better aim."

Based on Faridaldin Attar's thirteenth century Sufi parable The Conference of the Birds, this version follows a large and lovely flock of birds as they commit to their quest, overcome hindrances, and develop strengths, all while searching for the King of the Birds and his golden throne.

-- submitted  by Jennifer Knight

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