The Parable of Becoming an Eagle

By Juan Flavier
From Parables of the Barrio

The old farmer was known all over the barrio and the whole town for his wisdom even though he was unschooled. He gained fame for his way of talking. He often spoke in proverbs and through parables.

Being a dirt farmer, he extolled hard work. He would say on appropriate occasions, “God gives every bird its food but He does not throw it into the nest. I do not like the wheelbarrow because nothing ever happens to it until it is pushed. I like the chicken for it always scratches for what it gets.”

One time he defended various criticisms about farmers by saying simply, “You may have some valid points but do not complain about the tillers of the soil if you mouth is full.’’

Being unusually short, he would say in a deprecating tone, “I do not aim that high. You see I am only four feet eleven inches but in the end, it’s not the flagpole that counts but the flag that it carries.”

The old man heard a rather high-sounding and complicated speech by a politician. When asked for his comment, he said, “One should put the hay where the carabao can reach it.”

But of all his pronouncements, one baffled barrio folks the most. He would say and smile without explaining, “Become an eagle in life and death.” The people would implore him to annotate. He would only answer with an air of mystery, “When I reach the age of ninety I will tell you if, by then, you still have not unravelled the meaning.”

Eagerly, the people waited for the much sought after interpretation. Villagers had their own thoughts but no one was sure.

Finally, the day came and the old farmer explained by asking, “What do you notice about the eagle in life?  Do you see it fly in flock? Never. It is almost always alone. So, in our lives, let us be like an eagle. Unafraid to be alone in our beliefs and our convictions.”

“How about the eagle in death?” the villagers chorused.

“Have you seen an eagle die? No matter in what position it falls to the ground, by the time it breathes its last, the eagle has turned around to face upward. To the very end, look up to your God, for that is the beginning and the end.”