A Golden Cage

“Oh, my sweet little parrot,

Tell me, what’s the secret

Of your voice and beauty

That makes everyone happy?”

“A golden cage, my King

Gave you, at my asking,

With gay, for you to live in,”

Said a kind hearted Queen.

“When I was in the wood,

I had the choice of my food.

From the treetop I saw

The Sunrise with awe.”

“In my parrot’s colony

I had their best company.

They kept me in cheers

And saw I shed no tears.

“In the forest’s open air,

I had everything to share

With all my companions,

And my close relations.”

“Oh my dear Queen,

What if, a cage is golden,

Or, I live in a palace fine,

Am I not now in a prison?”

“Please grant me my freedom,

To fly free in your kingdom,

And sing in praise of you,

As I really love you.”

The speech of the parrot

Quickly touched her heart.

She released it from the cage

Thus freeing it from bondage.

What a golden lesson

A big country to learn?

A small country needs

Its freedom assured always.

~ Rajaram Ramachandran ~