High, high in the mountains lived the eagles, proud birds. They were a whole tribe. In one family a chick was born.
The mother eagle loved her little son dearly. For many years their family had no offspring, and they waited for this little one for several years. At last the spirit of the mountains took pity on the loving pair and sent them a single egg. Father and Mother took turns sitting on it in their great nest on the highest cliff.
While Father Eagle hunted for food, Mother cherished and doted on her long-awaited son. Three months passed and the chick grew. It was time for him to take his first independent steps in life: to learn to fly, to hunt, and to find his own food.
Father Eagle wanted to start training his son and teach him wisdom. But Mother kept discouraging him, saying the boy was still small, let him enjoy the nest, it was too early for hunting.
The eagle loved his wife and could not contradict her. He kept flying out for food for himself, his wife, and his son. Neighbors and relatives began asking him: “What, is your heir sick? Why doesn't he leave the nest? Why don't you give him lessons, why don't you teach him to find food? Why is his mother still at the side of such a big chick?”
The eagle did not know what to answer his kinsfolk.
One fine day the elders 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 approached the nest, the mother eagle flew out and shielded her son with her body.
He is still little, it's too early for him to learn! We feed him, his father and I. Let him grow a little more.
The elders were very surprised. By their count the chick should already be grown. Then they saw the young eagle rise to his feet. He was tall and well fed.
What are you doing, Mother? Your love will ruin a young eagle's life! You never taught him to fly or to look after himself. Is he feeble or something?
The young eagle called out to the old kinsfolk.
I am a young eagle. I want to be the king of the mountains! I want to sit in my nest and watch the eagles, the high mountains, and everything happening around me.
The elders laughed:
And how will you hunt? How will you get your food?
You will take turns bringing it to me. After all, I will be your king! he shouted.
Well, well, look at that, the king speaks, laughed the elders even louder.
Just then Father returned with prey.
What is going on here? he asked.
Your chick wants to be our king and king of the mountains, laughed the elders, and he can't even fly! How did you let this happen? You failed to raise your only son! We have never seen such a thing. We are proud and independent birds.
Then the elders overturned the nest. 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 beat them.
The mother eagle wailed:
Save my son! He will smash against the rocks.
The proud father 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 stone.
So, parents. We will take your son, teach him to fly, to hunt, and to find food.
The mother eagle wailed:
I will die without my little son!
Don't worry, don't worry. In a month we will return him to you, and he will fly back on his own. You won't recognize him!
The elders took the young eaglet and carried him far away to the caves. A month passed.
The parents sat in the nest, longing for their son. The mother had aged badly and fallen ill. The father stayed beside her constantly, afraid that she would die of sorrow.
Then they saw a young eagle flying straight toward them, stately and handsome, carrying prey in his talons: a young hare. He landed in the nest.
Hello, Mother and Father! I have returned. I brought you food as a gift from me. The elders taught me everything a mountain eagle must know. Now I will take care of you. Thank you! But I will never repeat your mistake. I will not love my children blindly, for blind love can lead to trouble...
