P. V. Ramaswami Raju

The Worm and the Sun

A worm that was out in the sun, said, "I wish there was no sun at all. Of what use is he? If he did not shine, I would go far afield, and should be so glad."

A rook that heard this came near and said, "You are quite wrong; the sun is of great use. I should not now have known that you were here but for his light."

With these words he snatched him up in his bill and put him into his craw.

A sage, who saw this, said, "The worm lived but a short while; yet he would have no sun, though all the world wants it. 'Tis hard to deal with minds so low, for love of self is all they know!"