An old blackbird found a piece of bread and flew off with it. When they saw this, the younger birds pursued him in order to attack.
Confronted by imminent battle, the blackbird dropped the piece of bread into the mouth of a snake, thinking to himself:
‘When you’re old, you see things differently. I lost a meal, it’s true, but I can always find another piece of bread tomorrow.
“However, if I had hung on to it, I would have started a war in the skies; the winner would become the object of envy, the others would gang up on him, hatred would fill the hearts of birds and it could all go on for years.
“That is the wisdom of old age: knowing how to exchange immediate victories for lasting conquests.’
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one day i hope to be this wise…love your blog, thank you Mr. Coehlo.
I will not tell You how briliant You are mr Coelho , You are just like anyone else with Your mistakes , weaknessess and strenghts , it’s just I admire how You put it in words , You have the courage-
anyway knowing myself -I would give the bread to the younger birds , it’s what I am doing always in my life ,and who cares , if they need that more than me , I would find another piece somehow , but I don’t like blackbirds and snakes even more…however Your writing is honest!!!
“That is the wisdom of old age: knowing how to exchange immediate victories for lasting conquests.’ … yes, and knowing how to aim well at the snake.
thoughts and learning u teach us is outstanding thanks for sharing with us such good thoughs
WoW!!
Simple story with such a strong message just loved it.
I just admire your posts.
Admirable el viejo Mirlo, tiene espiritu joven
, tira su pan a la serpiente para distraerla.
Le persigue a los jovenes para luchar contra la serpiente y los fortalece.
Peleo tres batallas sin perder ninguna
Gracias Mr Coehlo!!!
Comprendo… estoy leyendo la biblia, Amos
love ur writings…these two minute readings are a treat..the small messages hidden in every anecdote is worth pondering..hope to meet you someday…
It is my dream too, to meet him.
: )
your wisdom is welcome,
your simplicity a joy,
your insight helpful
between birds, girl or boy.
Namaste
namaste
I like this
SOme people sacrifice in their own things , no matter how it’s precious or important to them in order to live in peace, but , some others always find an excuse to attack them, waiting for a very little chance to destroy them. Envy kills, but letting go with what we possess it might be sometimes a sacrifice but it avoid us to to live a meaningless battle, and have some peace of mind, if they let us!!
to live for others is the true emeanings of life…
..lasting conquests.’ is what we should look for….worth pondering as always!
reading mighty paulo is really a thing of great pleasure and peace,paulo’s words pierce deep into our hearts.
love you very much paulo.keep writing,keep giving us life.
Couldn’t he just share his peace…eh..sorry…piece?
If only some people who cling to power thought of the big picture …this world would be a batter place.
thanks a lot 4 ur glorious ideas ..
i really apprecaite that :)
Great words of wisdom! If only more people would pay attention to them.
Gracias por compartir. Bendiciones.
thank you :) xxx
I wish all of us would do the same like the blackbird did, then the world would be a better place to live in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEplqV0scyo
THE LORD’S PRAYER for every soul.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Very nice, always love reading and sharing it to other people, thanks
Excelente decisión. Espreferible ser un instrumento de Paz, aunque a veces se tenga que dejar de comer.
mostly age gives us wisdom and experience but still we are afraid of age
amazing thought and wit
thanks paulo; God bless u ….
As vezes preciso traduzir para portugues e não sei como.
use a bandeira na barra lateral
Paulo G tusi great ho..!!!Love you..
Hi I am a friend from Buenos Aires Argentina, this is my spanish interpretation of the story.
Un ave negra anciana encontró un pedazo de pan y se fue volando con él. Cuando las aves más jóvenes vieron esto lo persiguieron para atacarlo.
Frente a la inminente batalla, el ave negra dejo caer el pedazo de pan en la boca de una serpiente, y pensó para sí mismo:
“Cuando sos mayor, vez a las cosas de un modo diferente, yo perdí la comida es cierto, pero puedo conseguir otro pedazo de pan mañana.
“Sin embargo, si hubiera sostenido el pedazo de pan, hubiera comenzado una batalla en los cielos, el ganador se hubiera convertido en objeto de envidia y los otros conspirarían contra él, el odio llenaría los corazones de los pájaros y podría durar por años.
“Esa es la sabiduría de la vejez, conocer como cambiar victorias inmediatas por conquistas duraderas.”
Many thanks Mr Coelho for your dailies posts.
Ignacio
Ouch…..you remind me to be gentle with the young….and….give way to the young…..and allow them to follow their heart’s desire.
this is one of the best i had heard on wisdom…loads of love
Paulo
Thanks
You are God Sent
This is an ans to a confrontation i faced today
An elderly colleague is being very difficult..not realising the chances we youngsters are losing!!
so true
Paulo! So true are your words! It reminds me ov all the Stupid ppl I av to c daily-to control tat Anger inside me_the fear of threaths_its wen I surrender,I feel it weight has lessend,it make me into a much bettr person_not for anyone else, but for Me!hugs Paulo_ god Be wit u
It is so nice to be blackbird, best time of my life. Thanks Paolo for this thaught.
The architecture of words
Paulo Coelho, build a simple spaces of a deep reflexion.
Thanks Mr. Coelho, I think:
Was he trying to advert a war or start one?
When the younger birds saw the old one drooping the food to the snake, they felt unloved and betrayed by their own kind; so, they ganged on him and turned on each other as learnt.
Did the blackbird have wisdom in his heart or just greed, envy and hatred?,
Did the blackbird care about the young ones of his kind or he care only about his own self-preservation?
The young birds’ hearts were filled with darkness and going on for millenniums..
Wisdom is not just of the old.
it’s really great that u can think from the unhappy ending side too!! but, everybody would love it if u think more positive; i understand the greatest challenge is protecting the positive idea. “NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD BUT WE HAVE FAITH AND TRUST” i mean there’s no point questioning God’s existence!
Mr. Coelho
Your passage for today is one that needs deep thought, and consideration to examine the “True” meaning of this story…the statement that catches my interest is the finale quote:
“That is the wisdom of old age: knowing how to exchange immediate victories for lasting conquests.’
Since the first part of the story is about deciding wheather to let go or hold on to….and the closing statement is much deeper then just gaining or loosing….there is much lost in this interpretation of the story! Therefore, the story is not about the Obvious…but about the story behind the story! As much of life is! These type of stories are “Mind Riddles” that often the deeper meaning is not understood at the immediate first reading…..
You should consider a Live Forum to your site…where people can Truly Explore and Understand the True Essence to Many of Your Readings….THE STORY BEHIND WORDS.
Would like to read it in french to…its difficult when its not in your language too!! Its always inside message..will like to understand..better
I needed that one today, thanks for making a good day even better:)
In a Way the old bird, knows the young ones, for once he flew with the same short wings…
Very true my Brotha great king of the Universe…
Much love
So true in life and in business!
En algunas ocasiones, es conveniente dejar que te venzan en algunas batallas, para conseguir ganar la guerra.
Nunca me gustó la palabra vejez-disculpa Paulo-; suelo utilizar la palabra madurez. Digo esto, ya que existen jóvenes viejos que apenas saben nada del sentido de la vida.
Deseo que este fin de semana, el Universo os abrace con toda su energía y fuerza. Nadie está solo…ya que formamos parte de un Todo. Dejo un enlace musical que rubrica lo que acabo de plasmar, esperando sea aceptado por el moderador:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn-M7zYCnA8
It’s sad the fact that others fill their hearts with envy when they see other’s success. Everyone should worry about their own success and don’t waste their time feeling hatred towards others. If there’s no envy, people will be more happy. Happiness is what we need in life.
Tienes toda la razon,comparto su manera de pensar,y aun mas por que ultimamente he sido rodeada por personas con ese sentimiento y aunque uno trate de ignorarlos, si se lo proponen te pueden hacer la vida de cuadritos.
I’s SOOO agree with you!!!
lasting conquests are precious to immediate victory…..awesome…..worth pondering……thank you…..
regards
Cuando todo el mundo piensa que eres un perdedor…
Tu tienes una sonrisa en el corazón porque no importa como lo vean los demás, la victoria esta en tu alma.
Thanks Paulo. Lots of Love Nandhini
So great!!! There are really things in life we have to give up in order to have the best… Thank you Paulo! :-)
Amen. The best, being the best for ALL of mankind. Selfishness is a result of living and reacting in FEAR because we lack the faith that the Creator has it under control for us. He made everything we touch, see, desire. He’s DEFINITELY capable then of having it in control. Work to be a PART of His ultimate plan; scoff selfishness and the rediculous idea you/we are smarter/above him. That’s a life being locked up, and prison doesn’t allow for celebration of every moment in your life.
Hello Sir
I like your work very much. Daily i use ur comment as my status.
Enjoy your site a lot; thanks for it.
absolutely touching…!!
Inspiring me all the time..
What can I say? You are the best for me!
I collect (and read) all of your books I can find in my country,
One of my greatest regret is when I missed the opportunity to see you in Bali (on 2008)
Ubud writers n readers festival,because I was in another island.
I pray and never stop dreaming that one day I can have your autograph on my favorite book of yours (The Alchemist) or even my craziest dream is to have the very rare privilege to take a photograph with you. Just imagine it makes me overwhelmed!
Always have time to pray and to wish you all the best..
I wanted to thank you your words blogs and books helps me understand the nature of the universe a bit better everytime, whenever I am in a dilemma.
Thank you very much…
Love the story, Paulo. I’ve come to learn that technique with my family; so far, it’s working for me! NAMASTE
looking from another aspect, who knows that the snake will get his meal like that .. Its the promise of God that He will provide the meal even to the blackest ant hidden beneath the blackest stone, buried below the tallest mountain on the face of this universe … so no need to envy or to snatch ..
then why do people die of famines??
it was beautiful just like always
I wish all of us use it at the right place and right time
then it will be more beautiful
Thanks Paulo For Passing The Wisdom Of The Ages To The present Generation In The Format That is Acceptable To Them. The Two minutes Readings Are A Pleasure in This Jet Age And Hats Off To You Dear . May God Bless You With Multifolds Of Them .
Mr Coelho, usted sigue siendo un visionario que lleva los mensajes precisos a nuestra vida. Hoy precisamente estaba ante una situacion similar con jóvenes que están a la caza y su mensaje me ha hecho asegurar que realmente cuando se pierde se gana. Gracias por su sabiduria.
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