Pepe the Parrot’s Predicament

Hundreds of birds lived in the trees, and they all worked together to help each other. They huddled together in the trees to stay dry when it rained. When there was little food because of the flooding in the valley, they all shared their gatherings of seeds and grain from the fields.

But not Pepe. He didn’t share the bananas that were put on his plate daily; neither did he use his ability to speak for them when they needed help.

One day, the birds heard a bang and then a thump; a bird fell to the ground. Quickly, the birds in the trees swooped down to see if the little bird survived the fall. Was he breathing? They couldn’t tell as they gathered around him.

“Quick, Pepe, go to the window and call for the boy, Ben. He will know what to do.”  Pepe mumbled and walked away. He wasn’t interested in  helping. He was never willing to help. The birds all begged for his help.

“Pepe, you must go for help, or the little fellow will die. You are the only one who speaks the boy’s language. You must go!”

Pepe the parrot spoke English; he could say, “Help.” He knew he should do as the other birds said, because sometimes he needed their help too, just like the little bird needed his help now.

Pepe had a predicament. He didn’t want to help, but he knew he should.

Feeling the pressure from the other birds, he flew to the window of Ben’s bedroom and tapped on the window. “Help,” tap, tap, tap… he repeated until he had the boy’s attention.

The boy awoke and went to the window. In the yard, he saw a gathering of what seemed like hundreds of birds in a circle. Quickly, he ran down the steps and bolted out the door to the spot of the action. The little bird lay on his back, not moving.

The boy picked it up. “Hi, I’m Ben,” he said. Ben stroked the bird’s breast until he saw signs of breathing. All the birds began to sing and flap their wings. The birds brought food and water to the injured bird and tweeted sounds of joy.

A bird was saved because Pepe did the right thing.

The little bird told his story of how he was swept away from his nest by a tornado. While trying to get home, he flew into the window of Ben’s house and plummeted to the ground. He thanked them for saving him, but he wanted to return home. He was too weak to fly.

The leader of the flock had an idea. He called on Pepe again. “Pepe, fly up the mountain and ask Mr. Condor for his help. Tell him the frail bird needs a ride to the next village. Mr. Condor has huge wings that can carry our little friend home. He is a gigantic bird, able to fly fast and far.”

Again, Pepe thought for a while, but agreed to help. He wanted to do what was right.

Mr. Condor was willing to help and swooped the little feathered fellow up under his wings and flew him home safely.

Pepe learned to do the right thing.

God is pleased when we do what’s right.

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Peggy Cunningham and her husband, Chuck, have served as missionaries in Bolivia, South America, since 1981. They have a children’s ministry, teaching practical skills to underprivileged children in rural areas of Bolivia while reaching them for Christ. Peggy is also a freelance writer and contributes to several Christian publications.