The Gumyocho Bird

This is the tale of the gumyocho bird.

It had two heads, which would suggest

That IF two heads are better than one,

The gumyocho bird should have been blessed.

 

But it had two personalities.

Each head thought it was always right,

And so, as you can surely surmise,

The bird's two heads would constantly fight.

 

One day while one head was asleep,

The other head, an herbivore,

Feasted on luscious fruits and flowers

Until its stomach could take no more.

 

When the other head woke up,

Its body was feeling indigestion.

Food sounded good, but it was so full

That eating was certainly out of the question.

 

The head--so angry, resentful, and bitter--

Planned to get even, but not being shrewd,

When hungry again, it slyly led

The other head to some poisonous food.

 

The head then ate its fill with gusto.

You can imagine what happened next.

Since the two heads shared one body,

No one should be surprised or perplexed.

 

Before dying, the vengeful head

Realized the mistake it had made

And hoped a compassionate buddha would feel

Pity for it and come to its aid.

 

Transported to an awakened realm,

The bird tells its story for our sake,

To help us see the repercussions

That come from decisions that all of us make.

 

Listen to the gumyocho bird.

It has a relevant story to tell:

When we’re hurtful to other people,

We're hurtful to ourselves as well.

 

-by Bob B (11-24-24)