In a quaint little village in the mountains, there lived among the simple people a wise and skilled old man. He had owned a shop on the outskirts of town for longer than anyone could remember. Oh, the wonderful creations that were wrought in that shop! The old man possessed a vast array of skills, and was a master smith, potter, and carpenter. He was respected by everyone, but very few could truly be called his friends. Children especially liked him, and he loved them as well. Many times a group of young boys and girls would troop into his shop after school to stare at the amazing curios and trinkets that filled the shop. As often as this happened, at least one of the youngsters would leave with a gift from the master craftsman.
One of the favorites of the old man was a young lad by the name of Nikolai. Nikolai's visits were frequent indeed. If a week passed without seeing him, the old man began to miss his young friend and would ask for him. Nikolai had received his share of gifts, but since he visited so often, his gifts were spaced farther apart. They were however, the most extraordinary creations that the master could produce.
On one such visit, Nikolai remained after the other children had left so that he could watch the skilled old man at work. After a few minutes, the shopkeeper took Nikolai by the shoulder and led him to a small room at the back of the shop. His deep eyes smiled into the boy's as he spoke to him.
"My young friend," he began, "of all the gifts I have ever made for you or anyone else, I have never created anything quite as special as what I am about to show you. All of my skill and wisdom have gone into this unique piece of work."
The man brought the boy to a small table upon which there was a beautiful cage made for a bird. The boy knew that what the master had said was true- years of skill had gone into the making of it.
"What do you think my young friend?"
"I can see that you have indeed put all of your skills into this creation." Nikolai answered. "But tell me, is it intended to hold a bird? I do not have one to keep in it, and should I capture one, it appears that the cage would not be equaled by the creature that it holds."
The old man smiled. "There is some truth to what you say, Nikolai. However, you will find that the bird that is already there will suffice."
The boy could see nothing in the cage. He opened his mouth to inquire of which bird his friend had spoken. Suddenly the shop was filled with the sound of sweet music, the likes of which young Nikolai had never heard before. He and the master craftsman stood and enjoyed the lovely sound for as long as it continued, for indeed there was nothing else to do but listen in rapture.
When it had ended, the old man spoke first, "Do you see, Nikolai? The bird is equal to the cage in its worth, although it cannot be seen by your eyes."
Nikolai cried out, "Oh, if the singer is as beautiful as the song, it would far exceed the beauty of the cage!"
"I must have you know something before I give you this gift, the creature that I can see is many times more beautiful than the cage that you can see. Even the wonderful music that you hear is only a small representation of what the bird is like. I made the cage with my skills, then imprisoned the bird inside. You must always remember what I tell you now Nikolai- this creature is more beautiful than a peacock, nobler than a falcon, gentler than a songbird, and is meant to soar in the open sky. It longs to be free of the cage that holds it prisoner."
Nikolai looked confused, "Sir, I would love to keep the gift, but if the bird longs to be free, why do you want me to have it?"
The wise man smiled. "Your heart is good my young friend, but you have many things to understand. Someday I will come to you and release our prisoner. I am only loaning this gift to you for a time. During that time you will learn many lessons, some will be pleasant, some will be difficult. When the time comes to release the bird, it will be easy enough. The cage is very fragile, being made of a substance similar to glass. Therefore, you must be very careful in handling it at all times until I return to let the bird go myself. Do you think you can remember all that I have told you, my boy?"
"I believe so sir." Nikolai's eyes shone expectantly as the craftsman took the cage from its stand and gave it to the boy. "I thank you with all my heart- it is the best gift I have ever received."
"Only remember," the old man spoke gravely, "you do not own the gift. I am only lending it to you for a time, shorter than you may wish."
"Yes sir." Nikolai answered cheerfully.
The old man watched as the boy left for home, carrying the cage in both hands and walking as slowly as he could. As he went along, the bird once again burst into song, which drew the attention of all the villagers that heard it, although they could not discern where the beautiful music came from.
Nikolai kept the bird and its cage for a number of months. As time went on, they became increasingly dear to him. The boy could sit for hours at a time listening to the unseen prisoner's song, all the while admiring the cage that had been so uniquely crafted. His friends often came to marvel at his gift, and so he became the envy of all the schoolchildren. When the boy was at school, he found that he missed his pet, and the hours seemed to drag by more slowly every day. He even learned some of the tunes that the bird sang, and would whistle them to amuse himself while away from home. The bird seemed happy with his new master, and would welcome him home each day with bright melodies. Most importantly, the boy had learned much from the wise old man's gift. Most of all he had learned to value what he could not see. He began to look for the unseen beauty in everything, which never fails to make one wiser and happier.
Often times Nikolai would take the bird and cage out into the woods and fields to give the bird more pleasant surroundings, all the while being very careful in handling the fragile cage. The music was always more beautiful in the wild. Nikolai could never decide whether the bird actually sang better outside, or if he just enjoyed it more then. On one such outing, as the boy was sitting on a stump enjoying the song, a man walked down the path toward him. Nikolai and the bird recognized their old friend at the same time. The boy greeted him with a wave and a smile, while the bird burst into a frenzy of delightful song. Then Nikolai's countenance fell slightly. Why else would the gift-maker come out to him unless….
"Sit down Nikolai." The boy and the man sat down beside each other. Neither said anything, but sat listening to the prisoner's song.
Nikolai began, "It seems very happy- it always does when we're out-of-doors."
His old friend nodded.
"I know you told me that the bird longs to be free. I suppose that is why you have come."
"Yes- it is time; but first let's talk a while. What lessons have you learned from your friend so far?"
Nikolai was still downcast, but he answered, "I have learned firstly that beauty and value are not solely determined by what can be seen. I can now find beauty with all of my senses, and with my heart."
The wise man stroked his beard. "That lesson will ever serve to make you a better man. What else has the gift taught you?"
The boy thought a while and then continued. "I cannot tell whether fragile things are made more precious thereby, or if the value of an item makes it seem more fragile. But I have learned to handle precious things with more care, a trait that I did not possess before."
"These lessons and others will remain with you forever if you let them." As the old man spoke, he held the boy's eyes captive with his gaze. "Nevertheless, there is one more to be learned. It may prove to be the most difficult ever for you, but it must be learned." He extended his hand to take the cage.
Nikolai let out a cry as he clutched his other arm. "Why must it be now? Can't you wait until I am finished with your gift before you take it from me? I feel as if I have just begun to love it and learn from it- please!"
The man's grip was firm on the boy's arm and he spoke somewhat sternly, but with compassion. "Did I not tell you from the beginning that I must free the prisoner someday? I have given you a gift for a time, and it is my place to decide when it is best to take it back. There are many reasons why this is the right time. You cannot understand it now, but as time goes on it will be shown to you by degrees."
Nikolai knew it was useless to protest, but his eyes still pleaded with the gift-maker. "If you prefer, you may turn away or go back to town…" Nikolai turned and sat with his back to the old man and put his head in his hands. There was a sound like the breaking of glass, then a rushing of wings and something that resembled an eagle's scream of pride. Nikolai whirled around to observe the emancipation before he remembered that could not see the bird. The old craftsman stood shielding his eyes as he looked into the sky.
"You still cannot see with your eyes, my boy?" Nikolai shook his head. "If only you could- you would not be nearly as regretful as you are now. It is a majestic sight to watch our friend sailing on the wind effortlessly- celebrating its freedom. The bird loved to be with you, but if given the choice, it would not return." He fell into step with the young boy as they started for home. "Someday Nikolai, I believe you will see with your eyes as well. For now, you can only begin to understand through these difficult experiences."
By the time they reached the village, Nikolai had learned a good many more things from his wise friend. Nearly every day the boy returned to visit him in his shop, where he acquired the old man's skills as well as his wisdom. Someday the shop would be his, and yet another generation would learn the lessons of the master craftsman.
Every so often, one of Nikolai's schoolmates would ask him, "Whatever became of that beautiful cage with the remarkable bird inside it?"
Nikolai might sigh or smile, then answer; "It was a pretty cage as cages go. As for the bird…." here his eyes would glow with a peculiar sense of peace, "…the bird is free."
