The Time of Opportunity
Once upon a time, Eren, the apprentice of a carpenter, lived at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed. Eren carved wonderful toys out of wood, but whenever he started a big work he kept putting it off. The old master of the village always reminded him that he should know the worth of time. In the depths of the forest there lived a mysterious Bird of Opportunity that appeared only to the brave and the swift. This magical bird had long silver feathers in front of its head, and behind, a smooth bald head. On a hot summer day Eren heard that a master merchant had come to the city and was looking for a wonderful toy. The person who made this special toy that the merchant would present to the palace would win a great reward.
Instead of setting to work at once, Eren lay down in the shade of a tree saying, “There is still time, let me rest a little first.” Just then that unique Bird of Opportunity, which flew scattering sparkling lights among the branches, suddenly glided down. The bird settled on a low branch right in front of Eren and spoke with a deep voice. “If you want to catch me, you must hold the silver feathers in front of me right now,” it said. Eren hesitated and thought, “I will hold them in a moment; you are here anyway.” The bird turned its back without waiting at all and rose swiftly towards the sky. Eren jumped up with excitement and reached out after the bird, but his hand touched its bald head and slipped.
The young apprentice, who was late, could not find even one feather to hold behind the bird. While the Bird of Opportunity beat its silver wings and vanished into the blue, Eren felt a great regret. At that moment he understood by bitter experience that time and the chances that come before us never wait. Before the merchant left the town, he ran to his workshop to finish the half done toy in his hand. Working without stopping all night, he managed to carve the most beautiful wooden bird of his life. The next morning he got the toy to the merchant in time and won the reward he deserved thanks to his effort. Those who act without hesitation when luck knocks at the door reach their dreams. Iron is beaten while it is hot.