Wisdom story: The Owl's Mirror and its lesson of how the world sees you

In the heart of an ancient forest, an owl perched high on a sturdy branch, a small mirror hanging around its neck. The mirror, smooth and round, reflected the world in shimmering detail. As the sun dipped beyond the horizon and the forest was cloaked in darkness, the owl remained still, watching the night awaken. A fox, sleek and cunning, moved silently through the underbrush… It was on the hunt, its sharp eyes scanning for movement. As it passed beneath the owl, it caught sight of its own reflection in the mirror. The fox paused and sneered at the reflection. “Owl, how shameful! You sit there, so helpless, waiting for easy prey that cannot even hear you. What kind of hunter simply sits and waits?” Without another word, the fox slinked away, its bushy tail vanishing into the shadows. Moments later, a bat fluttered through the air, darting between trees with swift precision. The bat, too, was hunting, its large ears tuned to the faintest rustling of wings. As it glided past the owl, the mirror caught its image. The bat gasped in horror. “Owl, how shameful! Your ears are so large that you can hear even the quietest sounds. You take advantage of creatures who cannot hear you coming! Is that fair?” The bat flapped its wings and disappeared into the night, leaving the owl in silence once more. Then came a black cat, moving like a shadow along the forest floor. Its golden eyes gleamed, reflecting the moonlight. When the cat saw itself in the mirror, it stopped and hissed. “Owl, how shameful! You wear a cloak of darkness to blend into the night, catching birds in their sleep. How unfair that you hunt those who cannot see as well as you!”

The owl blinked and remained still. It had listened to the fox, the bat, and the cat, each one accusing it of using its natural gifts unfairly. The words weighed heavily on the owl’s heart. Had it truly done something wrong? Was it shameful to use the abilities given to it by nature? The owl sighed and looked down at the mirror. “Why does everyone see their own reflection and judge me for it?” it wondered. With a decisive movement, it lifted its talons and let the mirror slip from its neck. It tumbled to the ground, landing with a quiet clink among the fallen leaves. As it lay there, the mirror caught the moon’s light, shining brightly in the darkness. The owl watched as the glow reflected in all directions as if sending a message to the creatures of the night. Nature had given each animal its own strengths, the fox its speed and cunning, the bat its sharp hearing, the cat its stealth. The owl had its patience, its keen ears, and its ability to see in the dark. None were unfair or shameful, each was simply different. And yet, when the animals saw themselves in the mirror, they projected their own judgments onto the owl. High above the ground, the owl spread its wings and took flight, gliding into the vast night sky. It had learned an important lesson which is that those who judge others do so through the lens of their own insecurities. And sometimes, the best response is to let go of the mirror that reflects their fears, and simply continue being who you are.