Tagore: The two birds

Two different perspectives...both birds are pretty sure of their own perspective!

The Two Birds

The captive bird in a gilded cage lay,

The free bird in the forest,

Fate decreed that they would meet one day -

Was God setting up a test?

The free bird said: "Dear captive bird,

Let us to the forest fly."

"Free bird; let us peacefully to the cage,"

Was the captive bird's reply.

The free bird said emphatically,

"I'll never give up my freedom."

The captive bird said ruefully,

"How can I in the forest be at home?"

Outside the cage, the free bird sang songs

Learned from its flight in forests,

The captive bird was full of notes memorized -

The two talked different tongues!

The free bird said, "Dear captive bird,

See if you can sing songs of the wild"

The captive bird answered,

"Learn from me songs of the caged"

The free bird said, "Never!

Will I sing songs dictated to me?"

The captive bird cried, "How can I ever

Sing the song of the free!"

The free bird said, "The sky is blue and bright,

And nowhere do I feel fettered."

The captive bird said, "The cage is proper and right,

See how I am perfectly sheltered."

The free bird said, "For once let yourself go

And become one with the sky."

The captive bird said, "To this retreat know

You can yourself firmly tie."

The free bird said, "No!

How can one there fly?"

The captive bird said, "This I know

There is no place to rest in the sky!"

This was how the birds wanted each other

Though destined to stay apart.

Through the bars of the cage one touched the other

Silently, desire stirred in each heart.

But each the other failed to understand

Failed even to give itself solace.

Vainly, they their wings fluttered

And wailed, "Come closer."

The free bird said, "What if I am trapped

Inside - never!"

The captive bird said with a sigh,

"I've lost the strength to fly!"

("Duie Pakhi" from Sonar Tari)

Translated by Fakrul Alam.