The story of the wisdom Bird Thus begins a tale of Solomon and Sheba, a story that originates in the folklore of European Jews, Israel, Yemen and East Africa. Sheldon Oberman, Winnipeg author and story teller, has done an admirable job of blending the folklore of Europe and different versions of Solomon and Sheba from Africa to produce a story of what real wisdom is. Neil Waldman's tasteful illustrations are a treat to study.
Sheba decides to visit King Solomon, who is known as the wisest man in the world. She challenges him to build her a palace out of bird beaks, and he accepts. All the birds in the world respond to Solomon's command to come to Jerusalem, save one, the hoopoe bird. Solomon is furious that he has not been obeyed.
But the bird says he was delayed searching for three questions for which the king did not have an answer. The king is intrigued and agrees to delay the hoopoe's punishment until he has tested the bird's riddles.
The hoopoe asks three questions of King Solomon:
"What was made the longest time ago and meant to last the longest time from now?
"What is so gentle it is used to feed a baby, yet so strong it is used to break through earth and wood, to build a home and to fight off enemies?
"And, what drop of water does not rise from the ground or fall from the sky?"
Can you answer this riddle?
He answers them all correctly, but he finds that each answer causes him to reflect upon his actions. His urge to fulfill Sheba's request has caused him to forget his wisdom. He overcomes his pride to realize that his true power will be found in resisting his own impulses. Solomon realizes that he must respect the needs of others - the birds - to set an example for others. Sheba understands and appreciates Solomon's decision. Together, they reward the hoopoe bird with a golden crown that it wears to this day. The story ends with the important lesson:
From that day on, every hoopoe bird was born with a crown of golden feathers. So it was and so it is. And so the whole world can see and understand that no matter who we are, we all have great things to learn, even from a little bird.
Sound of bird
