The Price of Freedom

A wealthy merchant kept a beautiful songbird in a magnificent golden cage. He lavished it with

the finest seeds and fresh water, believing it had everything. "You have all a

bird desires!" he'd boast. Yet, the bird often sang songs of sorrow,

longing for the open sky. One day, a humble sparrow landed on the window

sill, chirping joyfully. The caged bird asked, "How can you be so happy?

Your life is full of struggle!" The sparrow replied, "I have the entire sky.

I forage for food, but every berry tastes sweeter when earned. And every flight

is a dance of freedom." The merchant, overhearing, scoffed. "Foolish bird!