This book is very interesting for children and wonderful story for different ages

Entertaining Persian story based upon a Rumi poem, although the illustrations are not quite the right fit for this tale. ( )

Wonderful story and illustrations which depicted the Persian Culture. The story is of a parrot who lives in a large cage of a rich merchant. The parrot has helped the merchant be so successful by being a beautiful sight for his customers. He longs to go back to the forest where he came from. When the rich merchant travels back to buy more goods, and sends a message back to the parrots. The parrots all fell of the tree and played dead. When the merchant arrives home, he tells the parrot of the terrible situation, so the parrot copies it. The merchant takes the bird out of the cage, and the parrot flies free. Great story about how nicer and more isn't always better.

This book uses the story to question the values of captivity, loyalty, and fairness through the dramatization of the relationship between the merchant and the parrot. The contrast between the small cage and the wide-open freedom of the forest raises the question of the humaneness of captivity. When the merchant gives the parrot a larger cage with three swings he thinks this is sufficient freedom and a great reward, but as the reader we continue to examine the negatives of captivity. It also expertly introduces children to the Persian culture.

A good Persian traditional story with good illustration