High, high up in the mountains lived the eagles, proud birds. There was a whole clan of them. In one family a chick hatched.
Mum eagle loved her little son dearly. For many years their family had no offspring, and they had waited a long time for their little one. At last the spirit of the mountains took pity on the loving pair and sent them a single egg. Mum and Dad took turns sitting on it in their large nest on the highest cliff.
While Dad eagle hunted for food, Mum cherished and pampered their long-awaited son. Three months passed and the chick grew. It was time for him to take his first independent steps in life: learning to fly, to hunt, and to find his own food.
Dad eagle wanted to start training his son and teach him how to get by in the world. But Mum eagle kept talking him out of it, saying her son was still little, let him laze in the nest, it was too early for him to hunt.
Dad eagle loved his wife and could not argue with her. He kept flying out to find food for himself, his wife and his son. Neighbours and relatives began to ask him: ‘What, is your heir sick? Why doesn’t he leave the nest? Why aren’t you giving him lessons, why aren’t you teaching him to find his own food? Why is his mother still sitting beside such a big chick?’
Dad eagle did not know what to say to his kin.
One fine day the eagles gathered and flew to the nest. They wanted to see the grown chick and offer help to their relative’s family.
As soon as they drew near the nest, Mum eagle flew out and shielded her son with her body.
He’s still little, it’s too early for him to learn! Dad and I feed him, let him grow a bit more.
The eagles were very surprised: by their reckoning the chick was already considered grown. Then they saw the young eagle rise to his feet. He was tall and well-fed.
What are you doing, Mum? You will ruin a young eagle’s life with your love! You didn’t teach him to fly or to look after himself. Is he feeble or something?
The young eagle called out to the old kin.
I am a young eagle. I want to be king of the mountains! I want to sit in my nest and watch the eagles, the high mountains, and everything happening around me.
The eagles laughed:
And how will you hunt? How will you find your food?
Then you can take turns bringing it to me. After all, I will be your king! he shouted loudly.
Well, well, look at that, the king speaks, the eagles laughed even louder.
Just then Dad returned with prey.
What is going on here? he asked.
Your chick wants to be our king and king of the mountains, the eagles laughed, and he can’t even fly! How did you let this happen? You failed to raise your only son! We have never seen anything like it. We are proud and independent birds.
And then the eagles turned the nest over. Some birds held the mother and others held the father. The plump young eagle began to fall into the abyss. He spread his wings, but no one had taught him how to flap them.
Mum eagle began to wail:
Save my son! He’ll be dashed against the rocks!
Proud Dad squeezed his eyes shut and said not a word.
But the wise old eagles did not let the spoiled young bird perish. They swooped in, caught him under their wings and helped him land on a large rock.
So there you have it, parents. We will take your son, teach him to fly, to find food and to hunt.
Mum eagle wailed:
I’ll die without my little son!
Don’t worry, in a month we’ll send him back to you, he’ll fly home on his own. You won’t even recognise him!
The eagles took the young eaglet away and carried him far off to the caves. A month passed.
The parents sat in the nest, pining for their son. Mum had aged badly. She fell ill. Dad stayed by her side constantly, afraid she would die of grief.
Look! Straight towards them flew a young eagle, handsome and strong, carrying prey in his talons: a young hare. He swooped down and landed in the nest.
Hello, Mum and Dad! Here I am, back home. I’ve brought you food, a gift from me. The elders have taught me everything a mountain eagle needs to know. Now I will look after you. Thank you! But I will never repeat your mistake: I will not love my children blindly, for blind love can lead to trouble…
