In a quiet village, nestled beside a long-forgotten well, lived a pair of pigeons. Their nest was tucked safely in the hollow of the old well, beside a peepal tree. In this cozy nest were two baby pigeons—Labu and Dhabu.
While both were born under the same sky, their spirits were quite different. Dhabu was cheerful and adventurous. He flapped his tiny wings with excitement and often imagined soaring high. Labu, on the other hand, was nervous and hesitant. He admired the skies but feared what lay beyond.
One day, as the little ones were sitting on a branch outside the nest, a deafening roar echoed above. A helicopter passed through the sky, flying very low. The sudden sound startled them both. They screamed, flapped wildly, and hurried back into the safety of the hollow.
Since that day, Labu refused to go out. He called the helicopter a “sky monster” and feared its return. No matter how much Dhabu encouraged him, Labu would not come out again.
When their parents returned and heard what had happened, they gently reassured Labu. “That was just a helicopter,” said their father. “Don’t be scared. The world outside isn’t dangerous—it’s exciting.” But Labu shook his head. “I’m still afraid, Papa.”
As days passed, Dhabu continued to play and fly short distances. Slowly, he grew stronger. Labu, however, stayed hidden. His wings remained still.
One morning, their father said, “Labu, you’ve grown now. Your wings are ready. Try to fly!” But Labu tucked himself into the hollow and replied, “No, Papa. I’m afraid to fly. I won’t try.”
That same day, Dhabu practiced flying from one branch to another. He dipped into the well, then flew back up, shouting, “Mama! Papa! I did it! I can fly now!” His parents beamed with pride, but Labu just looked on, quietly wishing he could be like Dhabu.
Time passed. Then came a big occasion—Dhabu’s wedding! All the birds were preparing to attend. Everyone was excited. Everyone… except Labu.
He sat quietly, trembling.
So their father called the vulture and the eagle, “Go and bring Labu—even if you must carry him!” The two birds flew to the nest and said, “Labu! Your brother is getting married. Come join us!”
Labu resisted. “No… I don’t want to come. What if the sky monster returns?”
But the birds were firm. They helped him wear new clothes and carried him out by tumbling. They made him sit on a chair in the open field where the celebrations were taking place.
Just then, a spark lit a firecracker. BOOM! It exploded with a loud bang. The sudden noise terrified the birds. They fluttered into the air in all directions. In the chaos, Labu panicked.
“Save me! Save me, Papa! I’m going to die!” he screamed.
No one came. No one could hear him through the panic. He felt helpless. His heart pounded. In that moment of fear, something inside him changed.
Driven by the instinct to survive, Labu flapped his wings. Once… then again… and again. The air caught beneath them. He rose.
He rose higher.
He was flying.
The fear disappeared. The wind whistled past his feathers. The sky no longer felt like a monster—it felt like home.
He joined the other birds above. Dhabu flew beside him.
“Labu! You’re flying! You did it!”
Labu laughed. “Papa! Nothing happened to me. I’m not scared anymore. I love flying!”
That evening, as the sun set and the trees bathed in golden light, Labu sat on a branch, calm and smiling. The world outside wasn’t frightening anymore. It was beautiful.
