Sparrows--in accordance with the saying, "The law of home is a part of
faith"--to migrate from that place was impossible, and yet from the
cruelty of the tyrannous Hawk it was difficult to reside there.

On one occasion their young ones, having gained strength and put forth
feathers and wings, were able to move; and the father and mother,
pleased with the sight of their offspring, testified their joy at their
attempt to fly.

Suddenly the thought of the Falcon passed through their minds, and, all
at once, they began to lament from anxiety.

One of their children--in whose countenance the signs of ripe
discretion were visible--having inquired the reason of their
despondency, they recounted the history of the Falcon's oppression and
of its carrying off their young, with all the particulars.

The son said; "The Causer of Causes has sent a cure for every sorrow.
It is probable that if ye exert yourselves in repelling this misfortune
both this calamity will be averted from our heads and this burden
removed from your hearts."

These words pleased the Sparrows; and while one of them stopped to
attend the young ones, the other flew forth in search of relief. He
resolved in his mind on the way that he would tell his story to
whatsoever animal his eyes first fell upon, and ask a remedy for his
heart's distress from it.

It happened that a Salamander, having come forth from a mine of fire,
was wandering in the spreading plain of the desert. When the glance of