The Sparrow and the Neem

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There was a very lonely sparriow. He lived all by himself.
His parents had been gone for weeks. They went in search of food and had still not returned.

Because this sparrow was so lonely, he decided to go in search of someone to love.

He flew up to the mountains and said to them, "Oh mighty rocks, I have been lonely for so long but have so much love in my heart to give. Do you suppose I can love you?"
"Go away you little bird. We are too mighty for you to love", replied the mountains.

So the sparrow flew up to the great blue sky and said, "Guardian of the universe, I have so much love in my heart to share but no one to share it with. Would you mind that I love you?"
"You impudent bird" replied the sky, "Just see how vast I am. Do you think your tiny heart has enough beats to love me? Away with you."

The sparrow flew to the fields and said "Sustainer of the universe, I am in need of someone to love. Can I love you?" But the fields sent an army of scarecrows to chase the sparrow away.

The sparrow then flew over the oceans and said to them, "Bearer of infinite secrets and wisdom, my heart is brimming with so much love. I fear I might explode to a million pieces if I do not share. Would you mind that I love you?" But the oceans replied, "Look how mighty we are. We need more than your tiny heart can give. We have no use for love from you."

So the sparrow flew up to the baobab and said, "King of the Savanna, oh ageless one. I have a lot of love to give yet no one to give it to. Can I love you?" But the baobab responded, "I have age you cannot fathom, grace you will never understand. Away with you you fool. I have no use for love from the likes of you.

Finally, the sparrow flew up to the waterfalls and said, " Beauty beyond measure, I have been lonely for so long. I have a lot of love in my heart to give. Would you like to have it?"
But the proud waterfalls, feeling insulted by the little sparrow's request, sent a spray of icy cold water over him, wetting his wings.

The sparrow, being unable to flap his wings properly, almost fell to the fr and but the neem tree caught him midway.

She begged the sun to dry his wings.
Then the neem, cradling the sparrow said, "Sweet little darling, you cannot begin to fathom the depth and breadth of my love for you. I loved you before you were formed. From the minute your parents first met in my branches, I knew and loved you. Even when you deserted me and flew away to find love in other places, I loved you still. My love for you will never fail. It will go with you in the dark and in the light. I love you child, and I always will.

So the lonely sparrow, who really wasn't so lonely after all, found himself nestled in the branches o the neem, surrounded by love.

Home at last, he snuggled close to the neck of the neem whispered, "I love you" and went right to sleep. 

He was safe with the neem and knew her love would always protect him.