The Jaybird and the Mockingbird

A mockingbird was tutoring a jay bird on the fine art of singing. The ever patient mockingbird would sing a few notes and would turn to the jay bird saying, "Now it's your turn."

The jay bird puffed out his chest and uttered a loud, harsh squawk.

Embarrassed, the mockingbird cleared his throat and replied, "Well, you need more practice. Let's try it again."

Cocking his head to one side, the jay bird half heartedly listened, and interrupted the mockingbird before he could finish his ditty.

"Well...you need to sing your scales every day faithfully. Then we will see if you make some improvement," the mockingbird hesitantly answered as he shifted nervously from side to side.

"You don't know what you're talking about. I can sing as well as anybody. In fact my voice can be heard throughout the meadow which is more than I can say about you. Besides that, you are just jealous because you are so ugly, and I am so handsome. You are a dull shade of gray, but I am a brilliant blue color with a beautiful crest!"

The jay bird grew angrier and angrier, with his voice growing louder and more strident with each passing second. He flew circles around the poor mockingbird. Humiliated and frightened, the ambushed mockingbird flew far away from the meadow.

"I'll teach him a lesson!" muttered the spiteful jay bird. He soared among the bushes until he found the hapless mockingbird's nest. There were four tiny eggs in the tidy nest. The vengeful bird greedily devoured all the mockingbird eggs.

Feeling triumphant, the jay bird scratched his full belly. However, he began to feel thirsty after consuming the salty eggs.

A few feet away, there was a tiny water puddle left over from a recent rain. Before he would drink, though, the jay bird paused to admire his reflection in the clear water.

"My, my, I am a handsome fellow. I think it is time to find a girlfriend!" he happily chirped.

The voice appeared to come from a cluster of tall grass intermingled with some weeds. The jay bird strained to see who was talking to him.

"Yes, you are the most handsome creature I have ever seen! It's a pity that you can't see your reflection any better than that old puddle of water. Tell you what, some humans gave me a mirror. With that you can see yourself perfectly."

"Let me see it, let me see it! cried the bird. He was so excited he began to dance. The jay bird imagined himself carrying the glorious looking glass to his nest. He was certain he could impress any lady bird if she could see not one, but two images of him!

"Not so fast, not so fast! I don't give my possessions to just anybody. True, you are very handsome, but do you have any talent to go with your looks? Beauty without merit is worthless to me, and I will have to bestow my gift on another individual if you prove not to be worthy to receive it," remarked the voice in the grass.

"Good! I want to hear you. But I must insist that you close your eyes when you sing because if I like your music, I want to bestow the prize without your knowing who I am. You see, I am a humble fellow who does not seek glory for the treasures that I bestow."

Filled with pride, the jay bird readily closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

A large rattlesnake leaped from the grass and gobbled the naive bird before he could utter a sound. On the ground lay a few scattered feathers. That was all that remained of the jay bird.