I have a question?

Not far from where I live there is a copse of very high pine trees. While sitting in my armchair and looking from the living room window I can see them very easily. At the present move there is a hive of activity in the trees. Each year this becomes a parliament of rooks all nesting in the high branches. The signs of activity in those trees is a sure sign that spring is almost upon us.

The amazing thing is that they return each year and many , if not all of them,  roost in the trees  at other times. When out in the garden the noise of there activity is loud and clear. A ruckus but not an unpleasant sound, the sound of life and community.

I find myself watching them and then of course the questions begin to fill my mind. How many of those birds are last years young? How many are the same pairs from last year? Why does the number seem to remain fairly consistent each year? Then of course the almost impossible question to answer, how many are there.

I know that those who do bird surveys count the number in a group for a specific area and then multiply it up, but for somebody like me that is not nearly accurate enough and I wonder should I try to count them all?

This reminds me of the tale of the King and his emissary. 

One day the emperor Akbar with his emissary Birbal were out walking together in the palace garden and surrounds. It was a beautiful day and there were plenty of crows in the trees and by the pond. 

While watching this, a question came into Akbar's head. He wondered how many crows there were living in his kingdom.

Since Birbal was accompanying him, he asked this question of him. Without a moments hesitation the reply came, "There are ninety-five thousand four hundred and sixty- three crows in the kingdom."

Amazed at the prompt response to the questions, Akbar tried to test him again. "What if there are more crows than you answered?"

Again without any time to reflect came the answer. "If there are more crows than I have said then there are some visiting crows from a neighbouring kingdom."

"What if there are less than you have said?" 

"Then some of the crows from this kingdom have gone to visit in another kingdom."

There are some questions in life on which lies importance in the answer. There are also a number of questions that it is not worthy getting upset about. 

The clever person is always the person who knows what is crucial in life and what is trivial. The greatest teachers are those  who are able to direct there students to just what it is in life that is important. 

Have a wonderful day of learning and a happy day of learning.