Once upon a time, in a lush green forest, there lived a tiny sparrow named Sumi. She was known far and wide for her quick wit and kind heart. Sumi’s home was a cozy nest perched high in an old banyan tree, where she spent her days chirping cheerful songs and gathering seeds with her friends.

Across the forest, in a scraggly thorn bush, lived Kaku, a crow with glossy black feathers and a greedy glint in his eyes. Kaku loved shiny things—coins, pebbles, bits of glass—and hoarded them in his nest, dreaming of becoming the richest bird in the forest.

One bright morning, Sumi fluttered down to the riverbank to peck at some grains she’d spotted. As she ate, she noticed something glimmering in the shallow water—a beautiful golden ring! With a hop and a peck, she pulled it out, marveling at its shine. “Oh, how lovely!” she chirped. “I’ll keep it safe in my nest until I find its owner.”

Word of Sumi’s treasure spread quickly through the forest, carried by the wind and the chatter of the birds. Soon, Kaku heard about the golden ring. His beady eyes gleamed with greed. “A golden ring?” he cawed to himself. “That should be mine! I’m the king of treasures, not some tiny sparrow!” Without a second thought, he flapped his wings and soared toward Sumi’s banyan tree.

When Kaku arrived, Sumi was tidying her nest, the golden ring tucked safely under a twig. “Greetings, Sumi!” Kaku croaked, puffing out his chest. “I hear you’ve found a shiny treasure. Surely, a little bird like you doesn’t need such a grand thing. Give it to me, and I’ll keep it safe in my collection.”

Sumi tilted her head and studied Kaku. She’d heard tales of his greed and wasn’t fooled by his smooth words. “Oh, Kaku,” she replied sweetly, “this ring isn’t mine to give. I’m waiting for its true owner. But if you’d like, I can show you where I found it—maybe there’s more treasure by the river!”

Kaku’s eyes widened. More treasure? He couldn’t resist. “Lead the way, then!” he demanded, flapping impatiently. Sumi smiled to herself and took flight, with Kaku close behind. When they reached the riverbank, Sumi landed near a patch of muddy reeds. “I found the ring right here,” she chirped, pointing with her beak. “Why don’t you look around? The water’s shallow, and who knows what else might be hiding!”

Kaku didn’t hesitate. He plunged into the reeds, splashing and cawing as he searched for gold. “It’s got to be here somewhere!” he muttered, digging deeper into the mud. But the more he thrashed, the stickier the mud became. Soon, his feathers were coated in goo, and his claws were stuck fast. “Help!” he squawked. “Sumi, get me out!” Sumi fluttered above him, her wings glinting in the sunlight. “Oh dear, Kaku,” she said with a giggle. “It seems greed has gotten you into a mess! Don’t worry, I’ll fetch help.” Off she flew, leaving Kaku grumbling in the mud.

Sumi returned with her friends—a wise old owl named Hootu, a strong peacock named Pavan, and a chattering monkey named Miko. Together, they pulled Kaku free, though his feathers were a soggy, muddy mess. “Thank you,” Kaku muttered, looking ashamed. “I suppose I got carried away.” Hootu, with his deep, thoughtful voice, spoke up. “Greed blinds us, Kaku. You chased a treasure that wasn’t yours and nearly lost your freedom. Learn from this, young crow.”

Kaku nodded, his head hanging low. But Sumi, ever kind, hopped closer. “Don’t feel too bad,” she said. “The ring still needs an owner. Why don’t we search for them together—fairly this time?” Kaku blinked, surprised by her kindness. “Together?” he asked. Sumi nodded, and for the first time, Kaku felt a flicker of something new—friendship.

The next day, Sumi and Kaku flew across the forest, asking every creature they met about the golden ring. At last, they found a little girl by the river, crying. “I lost my ring!” she sobbed. “It was my grandmother’s.” Sumi gently dropped the ring into her hands, and the girl’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, offering them a basket of sweet berries as a reward.

Back at the banyan tree, Sumi and Kaku shared the berries with their friends. Kaku, munching happily, turned to Sumi. “You’re cleverer than I thought,” he admitted. “And kinder, too. I think I’d rather have a friend than a pile of gold.”

Sumi chirped with delight. “And I’d rather have a friend than a treasure all to myself!” she said. From that day on, the sparrow and the crow became the best of companions, proving that kindness and wisdom shine brighter than any gold. And so, in the heart of the forest, the tale of Sumi and Kaku spread—a story of greed turned to goodness, and a friendship forged by a little golden ring.