THE BULBUL and THE COTTON-TREE
by Maive Stokes · from Indian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Bulbul was a little bird. He lived in a green forest. One day, he saw a bud on a tree. The tree had many leaves. He thought the bud was a fruit. "I will wait here," he said. "I will eat it soon."
Bulbul left his home. He forgot his friends. He sat on the tree long. He waited day after day. He did not fly away. He watched the bud grow. Other birds asked him to leave. But he stayed. He said daily, "Soon I'll eat this fruit."
Other birds came to the tree. They wanted to sit there. They wanted to rest. They asked nicely. Bulbul was mean to them. He shouted at them. But Bulbul did not care. "Go away!" he said. "This is my tree."
One day, a Cuckoo came. Cuckoo had black feathers. Cuckoo was wise. She spoke softly. She tried to help. "Why are you so mean?" asked Cuckoo. "This tree is for all." "No," said Bulbul. "The fruit is mine."
Cuckoo knew it was a Cotton Tree. Bulbul did not know. Cuckoo smiled. She knew the truth. The flower was bright. The bud became a pretty red flower. Bulbul was happy. "It is a pretty fruit," said Bulbul.
The flower became a big pod. The pod was green and hard. Bulbul was very happy. He waited more. "Now it will be ripe soon," he said.
The pod burst open. White cotton flew all over. The cotton was soft and light. It went with the wind. Bulbul was shocked. He did not understand. "What is this?" asked Bulbul. The pod was empty.
Cuckoo came back. Cuckoo landed on a branch. She looked at Bulbul. Cuckoo spoke calmly. She explained why. "You see?" said Cuckoo. "You were selfish. Now the fruit is empty." Bulbul listened.
Cuckoo called the other birds. They all came. Many birds came. The birds were not happy. They pointed at Bulbul. They laughed at Bulbul. They told Bulbul he was wrong. "You were selfish," they said.
Bulbul was very angry. He shouted at them. All the birds flew away. But they left. Bulbul was alone. He felt sorry. But it was too late.
He spoke to the tree. Bulbul was sad. He blamed the tree. He was upset. "You are a bad tree," he said. "You help no one."
The Cotton Tree spoke kindly. The tree had a gentle voice. It explained its purpose. The tree shared its gifts. "I am not bad," it said. "My flower feeds the sheep. It helps the animals. My cotton makes soft pillows for people. It helps the people too. I help many."
Bulbul learned his lesson. He flew away sadly. He remembered the lesson. Being selfish can make you sad and alone. Sharing and helping others brings joy. Now, no Bulbul goes near a Cotton Tree.
Original Story
THE BULBUL AND THE COTTON-TREE
To notes T HERE was once a bulbul, and one day as he was
flying about, he saw a tree on which was a little
fruit. The bulbul was much pleased and said, “I
will sit here till this fruit is ripe, and then I will eat it.” So
he deserted his nest and his wife, and sat there for twelve
years without eating anything, and every day he said, “To-morrow
I will eat this fruit.” During these twelve years a
great many birds tried to sit on the tree, and wished to build
their nests in it, but whenever they came the bulbul sent them
away, saying, “This fruit is not good. Don’t come here.”
One day a cuckoo came and said, “Why do you send us
away? Why should we not come and sit here too? All
the trees here are not yours.” “Never mind,” said the bulbul,
“I am going to sit here, and when this fruit is ripe, I
shall eat it.” Now the cuckoo knew that this tree was the
cotton-tree, but the bulbul did not. First comes the bud,
which the bulbul thought a fruit, then the flower, and the
flower becomes a big pod, and the pod bursts and all the
cotton flies away. The bulbul was delighted when he saw
the beautiful red flower, which he still thought a fruit, and
said, “When it is ripe, it will be a delicious fruit.” The flower
became a pod, and the pod burst. “What is all this that is
flying about?” said the bulbul. “The fruit must be ripe
now.” So he looked into the pod, and it was empty; all [ Pg 40] the cotton had fallen out. Then the cuckoo came and said
to the angry bulbul, “You see if you had allowed us to
come and sit on the tree, you would have had something
good to eat; but as you were selfish, and would not let any
one share with you, God is angry and has punished you by
giving you a hollow fruit.” Then the cuckoo called all the
other birds, and they came and mocked the bulbul. “Ah!
you see God has punished you for your selfishness,” they
said. The bulbul got very angry and all the birds went away.
After they had gone, the bulbul said to the tree, “You are
a bad tree. You are of use to no one. You give food to
no one.” The tree said, “You are mistaken. God made
me what I am. My flower is given to sheep to eat. My
cotton makes pillows and mattresses for man.”
Since that day no bulbul goes near a cotton-tree.
Told by Dunkní.
[ Pg 41]
Story DNA
Moral
Selfishness and delusion lead to disappointment and isolation, while generosity and understanding can bring fulfillment.
Plot Summary
A bulbul bird spots a bud on a cotton-tree, mistakenly believing it to be a fruit, and selfishly guards it for twelve years, driving away all other birds. A wise cuckoo observes as the 'fruit' progresses from bud to flower to a bursting cotton pod, revealing the bulbul's delusion. After the cotton disperses, the cuckoo and other birds mock the bulbul for its selfishness and wasted effort. The angry bulbul then confronts the tree, which humbly explains its true purpose and usefulness to others, leaving the bulbul to realize its profound error, and forever after, bulbuls avoid cotton-trees.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to disappointment to anger to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Maive Stokes collected this story, 'Told by Dunkní,' suggesting it's an oral tradition from India, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century when such collections were popular.
Plot Beats (13)
- A bulbul sees a bud on a tree, mistakes it for a fruit, and decides to wait for it to ripen.
- The bulbul abandons its nest and wife, sitting on the tree for twelve years, repeating, 'Tomorrow I will eat this fruit.'
- The bulbul selfishly drives away other birds who try to sit on or nest in the tree.
- A cuckoo questions the bulbul's possessiveness, but the bulbul insists on its claim to the 'fruit'.
- The cuckoo, knowing it's a cotton-tree, watches as the bud becomes a beautiful red flower, which the bulbul still believes is a fruit.
- The flower turns into a pod, and the bulbul anticipates its ripening.
- The pod bursts, and the cotton flies away, leaving the bulbul with an empty pod.
- The cuckoo returns and tells the angry bulbul that its selfishness led to God punishing it with a 'hollow fruit'.
- The cuckoo calls other birds, who mock the bulbul for its selfishness.
- The bulbul gets angry, and the other birds leave.
- The bulbul confronts the tree, calling it useless.
- The tree explains its true purpose: its flower feeds sheep, and its cotton makes pillows and mattresses for humans.
- Since that day, no bulbul goes near a cotton-tree.
Characters
The Bulbul ★ protagonist
A small, passerine bird, likely with a crest or distinctive head markings, common in South Asia.
Attire: Natural bird plumage, likely shades of brown, olive, or grey, possibly with yellow or red undertones, typical of a bulbul.
Selfish, possessive, stubborn, easily angered, misguided.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with an adventurous spirit, gazing upward with wide, curious eyes and a slight smile. She has long, wavy chestnut hair partially braided with small wildflowers woven in. She wears a simple but sturdy forest-green tunic over brown leggings, with leather boots and a worn satchel slung over her shoulder. Her posture is alert and poised, one hand gently resting on a small, colorful songbird perched on her finger. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Cotton-Tree ◆ supporting
A tree that produces cotton, initially showing a small bud, then a red flower, and finally a large pod that bursts to release cotton.
Attire: Its natural form, adorned with buds, red flowers, and cotton pods at various stages.
Patient, purposeful, resilient, humble.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ancient, gentle tree spirit with bark-like skin the color of weathered oak, its face kind and wise with deep-set, twinkling eyes. Long, flowing hair and a full beard made of soft, fluffy white cotton bolls cascade down its chest. It wears a simple tunic of woven green moss and leaves. The figure stands in a nurturing pose, one hand extended forward as if offering support, the other resting on a thick, sturdy root. It is in a sun-dappled meadow. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Cuckoo ⚔ antagonist
A bird, likely with a distinctive call and plumage, common in the region.
Attire: Natural bird plumage, typically grey or brown, often with barred underparts.
Observant, wise, critical, somewhat smug, righteous.
Image Prompt & Upload
An avian humanoid with sharp, angular features, appearing middle-aged, with slicked-back dark hair and piercing yellow eyes. He wears a long, tailored coat of deep emerald green with black feather-like trim, over a high-collared vest. His posture is upright and predatory, one clawed hand resting on a twisted wooden cane, a sinister grin on his beak-like mouth. He stands in a moonlit forest clearing with gnarled trees. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Cotton-Tree
A tree with a small bud, which later develops into a beautiful red flower, then a large pod that bursts, releasing cotton. It is the central focus of the bulbul's long wait.
Mood: Initially hopeful and anticipated, later revealed to be deceptive and empty for the bulbul.
The bulbul waits for twelve years for the 'fruit' to ripen, only to discover it's a cotton-tree and the pod is empty. This is where the bulbul's selfishness is revealed and punished.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dawn, a single ancient cotton-tree stands in a misty meadow, its gnarled trunk and sprawling branches dominating the scene. On one branch, a small, tightly furled pink bud glows with morning dew. Nearby, a magnificent crimson flower blooms in full, vibrant splendor. Further along, a large, split-open pod releases fluffy white cotton fibers that drift like slow-motion snow into the still air. The surrounding grass is lush and dotted with tiny blue wildflowers. The sky is a soft gradient of peach and lavender, with gentle golden light filtering through the drifting cotton, illuminating each delicate strand. The atmosphere is serene, magical, and full of quiet anticipation. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
The Sky/Air around the Cotton-Tree
The open space where the bulbul flies about before spotting the tree, and where other birds try to approach the tree.
Mood: Initially free and exploratory, later becomes a space of contention and observation by other birds.
The bulbul first discovers the tree while flying, and other birds attempt to land on it, leading to confrontations with the bulbul.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast open sky at golden hour, bathed in warm amber and soft lavender light. Fluffy, luminous clouds drift gently. Below, a single, enormous cotton tree stands in a sun-drenched meadow, its branches heavy with fluffy, white blossoms that glow in the light. A few delicate seeds float on a gentle breeze. The air is clear and serene, with a sense of peaceful anticipation. Soft pastel colors dominate, with the tree’s vibrant green leaves contrasting against the dreamy sky. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
