The king Solomon was a wise king. He took good care of the people, animals and birds in his kingdom. He loved too many birds.

One day as he was riding on his horse through a forest, it started raining. There was no a little house around were he could take shelter. He was beginning to get wet. But not for long suddenly the rain was not touching him at all. It was as if there was a great umbrella spread over him.

The king wondered. He looked up. He saw that a big flock of birds had spread their wings to make a big umbrella over him! They stayed up there in the sky as long as it rained. Now the king did not get wet.

When the rain stopped, the king thanked the birds. ``Ask me for anything that you would like to have,’’ he said. ``I wish to reward you for you kindness.’’

The king of the birds came forward and said, ``O king, we have always admired your golden crown. We would like our wings to be golden, just like your crown.’’

``That is foolish wish, dear bird,’’ cried the king. ``Ask for something else.’’ but the birds would not listen. So the king blessed them and prayed that their wings should turn to gold.

In a moment, all the birds ad golden wings! Now they were thrilled indeed! They thanked the king and flew away.

As they flew, their wings of gold gleamed in the sun. A hunter saw the golden –winged birds. ``I would like to have a few of them!’’ he cried and took aim. His arrow hit one of the birds it fell down.

The other birds escaped from there. But they had learnt their lesson. ``The king was right. It is foolish to have golden wings. It will make ore hunters hunt us, so, it is danger! They cried.

So they went back to the king. ``Your highness, we do not want these golden wings. Please gi9ve us back our old wings.’’ the king laughed and blessed them. Soon they got back their old wings. They thanked the king and flew away in the air with the happy.