The Two Cages

by Kahlil Gibran
From The Madman (1918)

In my father's garden there are two cages. In one is a lion, which my father's slaves brought from the desert of Ninavah; in the other is a songless sparrow.

Every day at dawn the sparrow calls to the lion, "Good morrow to thee, brother prisoner."

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This poem is in the public domain. Source text: Project Gutenberg.

More poems by Kahlil Gibran

GodIn the ancient days, when the first quiver of speech came to my lips, I ascended the holy mountain and spoke unto God, saying, "Master, I am thy slave. Thy hidden will is my law and I shall obey thee for ever more."
The ScarecrowOnce I said to a scarecrow, "You must be tired of standing in this lonely field."
The Wise DogOne day there passed by a company of cats a wise dog.
On Giving and TakingOnce there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles. And one day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: "Friend, my son's garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?"
The FoxA fox looked at his shadow at sunrise and said, "I will have a camel for lunch today." And all morning he went about looking for camels. But at noon he saw his shadow again—and he said, "A mouse will do."
The New PleasureLast night I invented a new pleasure, and as I was giving it the first trial an angel and a devil came rushing toward my house. They met at my door and fought with each other over my newly created pleasure; the one crying, "It is a sin!"—the other, "It is a virtue!"
The Three AntsThree ants met on the nose of a man who was asleep in the sun. And after they had saluted one another, each according to the custom of his tribe, they stood there conversing.
The Grave-DiggerOnce, as I was burying one of my dead selves, the grave-digger came by and said to me, "Of all those who come here to bury, you alone I like."
On the Steps of the TempleYestereve, on the marble steps of the Temple, I saw a woman sitting between two men. One side of her face was pale, the other was blushing.
FacesI have seen a face with a thousand countenances, and a face that was but a single countenance as if held in a mould.
The AstronomerIn the shadow of the temple my friend and I saw a blind man sitting alone. And my friend said, "Behold the wisest man of our land."
Said a Blade of GrassSaid a blade of grass to an autumn leaf, "You make such a noise falling! You scatter all my winter dreams."
The EyeSaid the Eye one day, "I see beyond these valleys a mountain veiled with blue mist. Is it not beautiful?"
When My Sorrow Was BornWhen my Sorrow was born I nursed it with care, and watched over it with loving tenderness.

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The Two Cages

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