Owls

Owls are a bird that features prominently in the myths and legends of a variety of cultures. These mysterious creatures are known far and wide as symbols of wisdom, omens of death, and bringers of prophecy. In some countries, they are seen as good and wise, in others they are a sign of evil and doom to come. There are numerous species of owls, and each seems to have its own legends and lore. 

The owl was known as a harbinger of bad tidings and doom throughout Europe, and put in appearances as a symbol of death and destruction in a number of popular plays and poems. For instance, Sir Walter Scott wrote:

Birds of omen dark and foul,
Night-crow, raven, bat, and owl,
Leave the sick man to his dream --
All night long he heard your scream.

Even before Scott, William Shakespeare wrote of the owl’s premonition of death in both MacBeth and Julius Caesar.

There was an old man

There was an Old Man with a beard, 

Who said, “It is just as I feared! — 

Two Owls and a Hen, 

four Larks and a Wren, 

Have all built their nests in my beard. 

(Edward Lear)

The Wise Owl

A large group of owls came to settle in a jungle. The jungle was full of green and lovely trees. They were free to pick a tree of their choice to build their homes.
The young owls chose a green and well-built tree for themselves. There was an old owl in their group, who was forced by others to choose an old and half-dead tree. The old owl had to remain satisfied with his share.
Days went by. The young owls would often feel proud at their selection of trees and would tease the old owl,” Oh, you poor guy! You could not find a lovely green tree. You have got a dry and half-dead tree. You are very unlucky indeed.” But the old owl was wise. He would silently smile at their remarks. At times he would reply, “Who knows whether you are lucky or I am lucky!” The young owls would, however, merely laugh at him.
One day, a large number of woodcutters came to the jungle in search of wood. The lovely green trees fascinated them. So, they started felling them with their sharp axes.
The young owls all started making a loud noise when they saw their homes getting destroyed. But, they could not do anything and kept watching helplessly.
When the woodcutters looked at the old and half-dead tree, they said, “Oh! This is a dry tree. It is of no use to us, as it won’t provide us enough wood. Why waste our time on it?” So, they went away, leaving the old and half- dead tree untouched.
The old owl’s nest was spared.