The talent contest

Mr. Owl sets out a contest for Koo the Koel and Caw the Crow. Will the two learn new skills? A short story by Lesley D. Biswas

Koo the Koel and Caw the Crow lived on two branches of the same tree. But they refused to acknowledge each other’s talents and constantly mocked each other. Koo laughed at Caw’s unmelodious voice and Caw regarded Koo as a disgrace for her inability to build a nest.

Mr. Owl, who lived in a hole in the trunk of the same tree, was fed up with their fights. So, he suggested a contest to decide who was the more talented: the two birds should learn each other’s skill.

“Ha! Singing is easy-peasy,” declared Caw.

“How difficult can it be to build a nest?” chuckled Koo.

The two were given a week to learn and demonstrate before all the birds in the forest.

Koo went looking for a bird to teach her about building a nest. First, she approached the Tailor bird. “Will you teach me to build a nest?” she asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” chirped the Tailor bird. “Look at your thick blunt beak. How will you sew leaves together, the way I do using my sharp pointed beak?”