Prevod

A sparrow had four young ones in a swallow’s nest. Just as they were fledged, some wicked boys knocked the nest down, but all four escaped safely in a rush of wind. Now the old bird was sorry that his sons had gone out into the world before he had warned them of its many dangers and given them some good advice.

In autumn, many sparrows gathered in a wheat field, and there the old bird found his four young ones and joyfully took them home with him. “Ah, my dear sons, what worry you have caused me all summer, since you flew off on the wind without my counsel! Hear my words, heed your father, and take good care of yourselves: little birds have great dangers to face!” Then he asked the eldest where he had spent the summer and how he had fed himself. “I stayed in the gardens, looking for little caterpillars and worms until the cherries were ripe.” “Ah, my son,” said the father, “that is good feeding, but there is great danger in it. From now on, take good care, especially when people walk about the gardens carrying long green poles that are hollow inside and have a little hole at the top.” “Yes, Father, but what if a little green leaf has been stuck over the hole with wax?” said the son. “Where have you seen that?” “In a merchant’s garden,” said the young bird. “Oh, my son,” said the father, “merchants are cunning folk! If you have been among such worldly people, you have learned enough worldly wisdom. Only see that you use it well, and do not grow too sure of yourself.”

Then he asked the second, “Where have you been living?” “At court,” said the son. “Sparrows and simple little birds have no business there, among all that gold, velvet, silk, weapons, armour, sparrowhawks, owls, and falcons. Keep to the stables, where they winnow the oats, or to the threshing floor, and good fortune may grant you your daily grain in peace.” “Yes, Father,” said this son, “but when the stableboys make traps and hide their nets and snares in the straw, many a bird gets caught there too.” “Where have you seen that?” asked the old bird. “At court, among the stableboys.” “Oh, my son, court boys are wicked boys! If you have been at court and among the great lords without leaving any feathers behind, you have learned a fair amount and will know how to make your escape in the world. Still, look about you and above you: wolves often eat even the clever little dogs.”

The father called the third before him too. “Where have you tried your luck?” “Along the cart tracks and highways I ventured, and now and then I found a grain of corn or a little groat.” “That is a fine way to make a living,” said the father, “but watch for danger all the same and keep a sharp lookout, especially when someone stoops to pick up a stone. Then you must not linger.” “True enough,” said the son, “but what if someone already has a stone or a lump of rock tucked inside his coat or in his pocket?” “Where have you seen that?” “Among the miners, dear Father. When they come out of the mines, they generally carry pieces of rock with them.” “Miners, working folk, resourceful folk! If you have been among the miners, you have seen and learned a thing or two.

Go your way, but take good care of yourself all the same: miners have killed many a sparrow with cobalt.” At last the father came to his youngest son. “You, my dear little nestling, were always the simplest and weakest. Stay here with me. The world is full of fierce and wicked birds with hooked beaks and long talons, who lie in wait for poor little birds and swallow them up. Keep to your own kind and pick the little spiders and caterpillars off the trees and cottages, and you will live contentedly for many a day.” “Ah, dear Father, whoever feeds himself without harming others will prosper for a long time, and no sparrowhawk, goshawk, eagle, or kite will hurt him, provided he faithfully commends himself and his honest livelihood every morning and evening to dear God, who is the creator and keeper of all the birds in the woods and villages, and who hears the cries and prayers of the young ravens. For without his will, not even a sparrow or a little wren falls to the ground.” “Where did you learn that?” The son answered, “When the great gust of wind swept me away from you, I came to a church. There I spent the summer picking flies and spiders off the windows, and heard these sayings preached. And the Father of all sparrows fed me throughout the summer and kept me safe from every misfortune and every fierce bird.” “Indeed, my dear son! If you fly into churches and help clear away the spiders and buzzing flies, and chirp to God like the young ravens, commending yourself to the eternal Creator, you will fare well, even if the whole world is full of wild and treacherous birds.

For whoever entrusts his affairs to the Lord, keeps silent, suffers, waits and prays, acts gently and takes his time, and keeps his faith and conscience pure, shall have God as his protector and helper.”