Evening is falling on the forest. As all the birds return to their nests and shut their eyes, Pechi the owl opens hers in the hollow of the old banyan tree. She sleeps all day and stays awake all night. So the little birds would whisper — “What a strange old one! Asleep by day, awake by night!”
Midnight. Moonlight, and all around is still. Suddenly Pechi's big round eyes go fixed — far off at the edge of the field, someone is scattering shiny rice, and stringing a thin net above it! Pechi said to herself, “That's a trap. If anyone goes there tomorrow without knowing, they'll be in danger.”
At dawn Pechi called the little birds and said — “Listen, don't go and eat that open rice in the field. There's a net set over it.” Tuktuki the bulbul giggled — “So much free rice! And you tell us not to go? Old night-owl, you're scared of everything!” Everyone nearby laughed along.
At noon the rice glittered in the sun. Tuktuki just couldn't hold back. Her friend the sparrow said, “Don't go — old Pechi warned us not to!” But Tuktuki flapped her wings and swooped down into the field — “Who in the world leaves such tasty rice behind!”
Snap! The instant her beak touched the rice, the net dropped over Tuktuki. The more she struggled, the more she tangled! “Help! Somebody help me!” cried Tuktuki. Circling above, the other birds trembled with fear. Now what?
Just then Pechi glided down — calm and steady. “Don't be afraid! Don't shout!” Her sharp eyes found the weak knot in the net exactly. “Everyone peck at that knot together — all at once! Again!” Tap… tap… tap… the knot came loose, and Tuktuki was free!
Evening again. Shy and sorry, Tuktuki came and perched beside Pechi — “Forgive me, Granny Pechi. You saw it true.” Pechi smiled gently and said, “Keep your eyes and ears open, little ones.” From that day on, every evening they all come to sit and listen to the owl. Remember — the one who quietly watches and listens knows the most.