One day the birds were chirping in the forest. A passing devotee was charmed by their sweet melodies and exclaimed joyfully, “Oh, these birds are so devoted. They’re singing ‘Rama, Sita, Dasarath.’”

Another devotee happened to come along the same path and was equally delighted, saying, “Oh, those birds are great devotees. They’re singing ‘Allah, Mohammed, Hazrat.’”

Close on his heels was a wrestler. On hearing the chirping he exclaimed with joyful exuberance, “I’m not the only one who does physical exercise. The birds also like to keep fit. They’re singing, ‘D́on, baet́hak, kasrat – push-ups, sit-ups, muscle-building.’”

A master cook was walking close behind him. “Ah, the birds have also accepted that cooking is an art form. Just listen to their melodious song. They’re singing, ‘Lahshun, piṋyáj, ádrak – garlic, onion, ginger.’”

Whoever it may be, everyone looks at the world through his or her own spectacles.