Q is for Questioning Quails – A to Z Blog Challenge

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Beating the Odds…Lucky Folktales Around the World to Brighten Your Day. Each post highlights that the stars aligned and what would have normally been…bad…turned out after all. Considering what we – as humankind – have experienced the past year, how nice is it to remember that all of us can “beat the odds” to some level in our lives.

And we’ll admit now…some are actually myths, legends, or epics rather than only limited to folktales. So is that a type of “loading the dice”? Ah, but the stories were too wonderful to pass by.

QUAILS-

From Sri Lanka

Quails are often kept as pets in Sri Lanka. The birds are known as shy creatures. People have to be extra careful of mongoose who like to eat the quails. This is a different kind of chicken/fox situation. Though, a quail egg is healthier than eating a chicken egg. Not that you would want to eat quail eggs after this story.

What makes quails dangerous?

A little bird…how dangerous could it be? Well, I barely learned that quail can choose to become poisonous. If you happen to then eat this quail, then your kidneys could be goners. Here’s an article about it: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18963719/.

50-words-or-less summary:

Quail laid egg on rock. Then rock covered egg. Quail begged for help to move rock. Went to Mason, Village Headman, Pig, Vaedda, Timbol, Fire, Water-Pot, Elephant, and Rat. Only when coming upon Cat did it chase the Rat and then all did what they promised. Quail regained egg.

That Quail was lucky when someone finally wanted to help and not have to get something in return. Whew! I may have to rethink how I feel about cats as a result of this story. Yes, Cat enjoyed going after that Rat so there was a “what’s-in-it-for-me”…though still. There were nine others who refused to do anything until there was a “what’s-in-it-for-me” yet Cat saw the opportunity while helped Quail. Lucky Cat and Quail.

Finding the Story:

https://www.wisdomlib.org/south-asia/book/village-folk-tales-of-ceylon-sri-lanka/d/doc6868.html

Please share in the comments…or anything on your mind. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings with virtual as well as proper-distanced/masked/outdoors.

We are excited for the monthly All Things Story virtual workshop series as well as the hybrid Story Crossroads Festival on May 10-13, 2021 (then viewing beyond the event to June 15, 2021). Interested in deeper articles and e-workbooks plus stories, activities, and recipes? Then pursue Story Crossroads Memberships.

As we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, you can also support by donating today!

See a teaser of our Story Crossroads Academy. While the video has closed captioning, the “Storytelling Basics in 8 Hours” is free and includes American Sign Language.