Bobino
Bobino's Beginnings and Thirst for Knowledge
Once upon a time, there lived a boy who was very bright and intelligent, and who had an insatiable appetite for learning. The boy's name was Bobino, and he had so many questions that soon his father ran out of answers to give him.
So, his father found a wise master and sent Bobino to him, so that the master could instruct Bobino in 1000 different arts. The boy spent 12 years studying with his teacher, and when he had become an adult and had learned everything the master could teach him, Bobino returned to his father.
Father's Disappointment
— Son, how long I've waited for you! Tell me everything you've learned. — Father! — Oh, these birds! — A storm is coming! Quick, father, we must find shelter! There's a cave here! — No storm is coming. The sky is clear. — Father, the birds and forest creatures know the world better than we do. — What? — See, father? — How did you know? — From the sparrows. One of them told me. It also showed me the way to this cave. — How is such a thing possible? — I know the language of all birds and animals, father. The master taught me. — What? The master taught you to become a wizard? — It's not quite like that. — All these years, all this money, and the only thing my son has learned is the language of forest beasts! Is this what I'll tell my relatives and friends? What do you expect? People to come to you asking what their dog is saying? It's ridiculous! — But, father! — My business is run by people, not animals. What will become of it now? Go, Bobino! Leave at once and only return after you have learned something valuable! Go!
Bobino's Journey Through the Wilderness
And so Bobino left. How much he wished he could tell his father that all the world's knowledge was contained in the wisdom of nature and its creatures. But it was not to be. So he walked on.
Whenever Bobino grew tired, he would ask a snake or a bird where a nearby cave was, and the animals would lead him there. When he was hungry, he would ask them where to find food and water, and the animals would show him the way. He spoke with them, laughed with them, and enjoyed his time in the wilderness.
The Threatened Tribe
Then, one day, he came across a tribe.
— Why are you barking like that? Be quiet! — Let me go tie him up! — No, wait! — What is it, little one? — The dog says a group of thieves will attack the tribe after midnight. It will be a group of four men coming from the southwest. — How do you know? — Because I understand the language of birds and animals. These creatures perceive the world in a way we humans cannot. They speak with the wind, they speak with the sky, and they are never wrong. — Then we should listen to them and prepare accordingly!
That night, the members of the tribe hid behind the trees and haystacks and waited for the thieves. Exactly as the dog had said, four thieves came from the southwest, but the tribe was ready and drove them away. The astonished thieves fled in fear, and thus the village and the tribe's belongings were saved.
— Thank you very much, Master Bobino! You saved our tribe! — Not I, but rather the animals saved your tribe. — Only thanks to you do we now know what great wisdom the animals possess! Please, stay! Don't leave! — I must roam the forests, but I will visit you again.
The Sick Girl and the Lost Cure
So Bobino went back into the forest and walked for several more weeks. One day, he heard some frogs croaking louder than he had ever heard before. He went closer, sat on their lotus flowers, and the frogs seemed to be playing catch with a small bottle.
The frogs saw him, brought him fruits and nuts to eat, and showed him a place where he could rest. The next morning, he left again and came across a small village. He heard cries and sobs from one of the houses, so he went directly there.
— What will happen to my daughter? — Please, don't despair! A miracle can happen! — Excuse me, madam, may I ask what the problem is? — Their daughter has fallen very ill. They got a cure from the neighboring village, but the servant dropped the bottle with the medicine on the way back. Now there isn't enough time to fetch another bottle to save the poor girl! — I know where a bottle fell in the forest. Send the servant at once, or better yet, give me a horse. — How do you know where it is? — Sir, I will explain that later. Bring me a horse. — Yes, immediately!
And Bobino mounted the horse and rode towards the place where the frogs were.
— Hey, I found the owner of the bottle! Would you please bring it to me? — Thank you.
Bobino took the cure and gave it to the parents of the sick child. As soon as the cure was administered, the child felt better, and it was clear she would now be saved. The family and the village rejoiced.
— Thank you! You saved my daughter's life! — Not I, but the creatures of the forest saved her. — Only thanks to you do we now know what great wisdom our animals possess! Please, stay! Don't leave! — I must roam the forests, but I will visit you again.
Bobino, the New Governor
So Bobino went back into the forest and walked for several more weeks. One day, he came across two men. He sat down to eat with them, when a hawk arrived and spoke to Bobino.
— He says that in the town at the edge of the forest, there will be elections for the next governor. Tomorrow, when the clock strikes 1 at noon, his friend, the eagle, will choose the next governor, and he says one of us could be him. — An eagle? How strange! How do you know? — It's not strange, my friend, it's wise. I know because I understand the language of birds and animals. The creatures perceive the world in a way we humans cannot. They speak with the wind, they speak with the sky, and they are never wrong. — In that case, we must set off for the town at once! — You two go ahead. I'll come later, but I'm a little tired and sleepy. I want to rest for a while. — Very well! We'll see you there!
So the two men went to the town where a large crowd had gathered to see who their new governor would be. When the clock struck 1, the eagle flew from its perch in the oak tree. It flew high, watching the crowd from there, searching for the next governor, and then, suddenly, it swooped down towards the town gate and landed on the shoulder of the man standing there.
That man was Bobino. Bobino was surprised, for whom did he see standing before him? His master!
— And the great eagle has chosen! Bobino will be the new governor of this town, for he who understands and respects the creatures of the forest will lead the people with wisdom and compassion.
The Wisdom of Nature
And thus, with great pomp, in a golden carriage, Bobino was taken to the governor's house. Bobino called for his father, and finally, his father understood that birds and animals perceive the world in a way that humans cannot.
They speak with the wind, they speak with the sky, and they are never wrong, and just as the master had said, Bobino, the man who respected animals, led the people with compassion and wisdom for the rest of his life.
