Long ago, a captivating and sorrowful story unfolded in a village called Kotli Noonan, near the upper Chenab canal in Sambrial. In the 1950s, my father, a young boy at the time, used to make a weekly journey from Sialkot to Kotli Noonan, enticed by the charm of the upper Chenab canal. The bridge that elegantly stretched over the canal was a beloved spot for locals, attracting divers and swimmers.
One day, when my father arrived in Kotli Noonan, he was surprised by an unusual sight. Every crow in the town had its beak shortened as if someone had cut off a part. In his innocent youth, he wondered if these were a new kind of crows, unaware of the underlying tragedy.
Driven by curiosity, my father sought the wisdom of the villagers, who shared a sad tale. They recounted the misfortune of a poor farmer's ox, which had suffered severe wounds on its neck. Unaware of the ox's pain, the crows mistook the wounds as an easy meal. In their misguided hunger, they continuously pecked at the wounds, worsening the suffering of the helpless ox.
Overwhelmed by sorrow and resentment, the farmer couldn't bear to witness the torment inflicted on his faithful companion. Fueled by a desire for revenge, he devised a plan to punish the crows. With the help of the villagers, they cunningly set a large net, trapping most of the mischievous crows.
Consumed by anger, the farmer, with a heavy heart, decided to teach the crows a harsh lesson. In an impulsive act of retaliation, he ruthlessly cut off the ends of their beaks, believing it to be a just punishment for their wrongdoing.
The tale of Kotli Noonan carries a timeless lesson. It reminds us that seeking revenge out of anger and resentment only perpetuates a cycle of suffering. True wisdom lies in forgiveness and empathy, as they lead to healing and inner peace.
