01/10/2025
Kindness can turn rivals into companions.
In the open plains, a zebra named Nyla and a bulbul named Kiro lived in constant quarrel. Nyla disliked Kiro’s loud singing near the watering hole, and Kiro mocked Nyla’s stripes whenever he could. They avoided each other, united only by dislike.
One day, Nyla stumbled. Her leg was swollen, crawling with parasites that burrowed painfully into her flesh. Every step was agony. She lowered her head, exhausted and frightened. For a zebra, weakness could mean death.
To her surprise, Kiro flew close. Nyla bristled, expecting another insult. Instead, Kiro’s eyes softened. Without a word, he perched near her leg and began to work. With gentle precision, he pulled out the worms, one by one. Nyla flinched, but soon realized the bird was helping, not hurting.
Hours passed. When the last parasite was gone, Nyla felt relief wash over her. She looked at Kiro differently now—not as a nuisance, but as a savior.
“Why help me?” she whispered.
“Because pain is greater than pride,” Kiro replied softly.
From that day on, the zebra and the bulbul walked together—not as enemies, but as unlikely friends who had learned that compassion can bridge even the widest divide.
