Bird Quote by Rabindranath Tagore
““THE TAME BIRD WAS IN A CAGE THE tame bird was in a cage, the free bird was in the forest. They met when the time came, it was a decree of fate. The free bird cries, "O my love, let us fly to the wood." The cage bird whispers, "Come hither, let us both live in the cage." Says the free bird, "Among bars, where is there room to spread one's wings?" "Alas," cries the caged bird, "I should not know where to sit perched in the sky." The free bird cries, "My darling, sing the songs of the woodlands." The cage bird sings, "Sit by my side, I'll teach you the speech of the learned." The forest bird cries, "No, ah no! songs can never be taught." The cage bird says, "Alas for me, I know not the songs of the woodlands." There love is intense with longing, but they never can fly wing to wing. Through the bars of the cage they look, and vain is their wish to know each other. They flutter their wings in yearning, and sing, "Come closer, my love!" The free bird cries, "It cannot be, I fear the closed doors of the cage." The cage bird whispers, "Alas, my wings are powerless and dead.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unknown, possibly literary work
Contrasting freedom and confinement, longing for connection despite differing realities.
In simple terms: Free and caged birds desire each other but cannot meet.
Accept differences and find common ground.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- social barriers
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love bridge fundamental differences?
- What limits prevent true connection?
Idealized love may ignore practical constraints.