The Bittern and the Hoopoe (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
The lesson about moderation in shepherding
A curious man encountered an elderly shepherd and asked him about the best places to feed flocks. The conversation began when the man sought advice about proper grazing practices.
The old cowherd responded with wisdom gained from years of experience.
Here, sir, where the grass is neither too rich nor too poor, or else it is no use.
When the man pressed for an explanation, the cowherd pointed to a melancholy cry echoing from the nearby meadow. He explained that the sound came from the bittern, who had once been a shepherd like himself. The cowherd promised to tell the complete story of both the bittern and the hoopoe, two former shepherds whose fates served as a warning about the dangers of extremes. This tale would illustrate why moderation was essential in all aspects of shepherding and life itself.
The tale of the bittern and hoopoes transformation
The cowherd began his cautionary tale by describing two shepherds who had chosen opposite approaches to grazing their cattle. The first shepherd, who would later become the bittern, made the mistake of seeking only the richest possible pastures for his herd.
The bittern pastured his flocks on rich green meadows where flowers grew in abundance, so his cows became wild and unmanageable.
The excessive richness of these pastures had terrible consequences for the bittern's cattle, making them impossible to control. Meanwhile, the second shepherd, who would become the hoopoe, chose the opposite extreme by driving his cattle to the most barren and desolate places available.
The hoopoe drove his cattle on to high barren hills, where the wind plays with the sand, and his cows became thin, and got no strength.
The hoopoe's choice proved equally disastrous, as his cattle became so malnourished and weak that they could barely survive on the sandy, windswept heights. Both shepherds discovered the consequences of their extreme choices when evening came and they attempted to gather their herds for the journey home. The bittern found himself completely unable to control his overfed, energetic cattle, who had become so high-spirited from their rich diet that they simply ignored his commands and scattered in all directions.
The hoopoe, however, could not even get his cows up on their legs, so faint and weak had they become.
The hoopoe faced the opposite but equally frustrating problem - his undernourished cattle lacked the strength to even stand, let alone walk home. Both shepherds called desperately to their herds, but their efforts proved futile. The bittern cried out repeatedly to his scattered, uncontrollable cows, while the hoopoe screamed frantically at his collapsed, weakened animals. Their lack of moderation had doomed them both to failure. As punishment for their extremes, both shepherds were transformed into birds, condemned to eternally repeat their futile calls.
And to this day, though they have no flocks now to watch, the bittern cries, 'Come, cows, come,' and the hoopoe, 'Up, up, up.'
The old cowherd concluded his tale by emphasizing the moral lesson it contained. The transformation of the two shepherds into birds served as an eternal reminder of what happens when one abandons the principle of moderation. The bittern's melancholy cry and the hoopoe's desperate screams continue to echo across the landscape, warning future generations of shepherds about the dangers of choosing extremes over balance. The story explained why the wise cowherd always sought pastures that were neither too rich nor too poor, understanding that moderation in all things leads to success, while extremes inevitably result in failure and eternal regret. This ancient wisdom, passed down through the tale of the transformed shepherds, reminded all who heard it that balance and moderation are the keys to a successful and peaceful life.