Long, long ago, when time was measured by the trickle of sand, there ruled a wise and goodly king named Solomon.
It so happened that the birthday of King Solomon's wife was approoaching, and the one gift - the only gift - the queen fancied was a palace made from the beaks of birds.
"And so you shall have one," said Solomon, who dearly loved his wife. He sent word that all the feathered creatures in his kingdom were to assemble before him in a week.
When that day arrived, the air was filled with the noise of beating wings, squawks and hoots and chirps. Birds of every kind had answered Solomon's call...
There were cooing doves and long-legged storks, fearsome falcons and guinea fowl. There were terns and swallows, eagles and owls. Even the ostriches had made the long journey - on foot, as they cannot fly. But the king noted that among the birds there was not a single hoopoe.
"That's odd," King Solomon thought to himself. "I am surprised Hoopoe is not here." the king had always felt great affection for the hoopoe, feelings which he thought the bird shared. But Solomon saw no reason to keep the other birds waiting. He would have to proceed without Hoopoe.
"I have asked you here today because the queen shall be celebrating her birthday soon," King Solomon told the feathered crowd. The birds began twittering excitedly. So, they were being invited to a party. How nice! Then one by one they noticed Solomon's finger on his lips. They ceased their chatter to listen. "For her birthday," Solomon went on, "the queen has asked for a palace made from the beaks of birds,"
The birds fell silent, stunned by the king's words. Compared to the mighty lion or stately giraffe, they knew they were small and insignificant, but they hadn't expected this. Give up their beaks? What a dreadful thought. How would they survive without beaks? On the other hand, if Solomon - wise and goodly Solomon - asked for their beaks, who were they to say no.
"You can place your beaks in a pile over there," King Solomon said, pointing. The birds began forming several lines, prepared to do as the king asked.
At that very moment Hoopoe arrived. The colorful bird dopped down in front of Solomon, who glared at the creature with undisguised impatience.
"And, where have you been?" King Solomon asked.
"Flying hither and yon, my king," the hoopoe replied.
"Hmm," the king grunted. "Well, as I just finished telling the others, your beak is needed in order to build a palace for my wife."
Hoopoe listened and said nothing. He looked at the birds standing patiently in line, and then back at King Solomon. Finally he spoke, "I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot give up my beak so readily."
"Oh? And why can't you? The king cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you think you're any different from the other birds?"
"I am no different," Hoopoe began, "but in my travels I have learned many things, I ask you to listen to what I have to say."
"Very well," said King Solomon. "Proceed."
"I have a proposition: Here are three riddles. Answer all three correctly and I'll give up my beak without complaint," Hoopoe said. "But if you fail to answer even one of the riddles, you must allow all of us to keep our beaks."
The other birds were stunned by Hoopoe's boldness. How dare a mere bird challenge mighty Solomon! But the king admired the little bird's courage. He also felt certain that he could answer the three riddles. "I agree to your bargain," he said simply.
"Very well," said Hoopoe, taking a deep breath. "Here is the first riddle. Who is it who has never been born and shall never die?"
"Oh, that's an easy one," laughed King Solomon. "The Creator, of course. He who made all there is," he said, gesturing with his outstretched arms. "He who made the sky above us and the gound on which we stand. He who made the plants and the animals....and the birds." Solomon gazed throughfully at Hoopoe. And the birds, the king through to himself.
"Here is the second riddle then," said Hoopoe, nervously clearing his throat. "Can you tell me what water neither rises from the ground nor falls from the sky ?"
Solomon wasted no time in answering this one either. "That would be a tear," he said. "A tear that is shed in sadness." The king looked at the birds assembled before him. There was no mistaking the look of despair in their eyes. Sad thoughts began to fill Solomon's heart. When he reached up to touch his face his fingers were wet.
"Here then is the last riddle," said Hoopoe, his voice quavering. This was also the last chance to save the birds' beaks. "What is delicate enough to put food in a baby's mouth, yet strong enough to drill holes in wood?"
King Solomon's face creased in thought. He pulled on his beard. He looked skyward, and then at the sea of birds standing before him. His face broke out in a broad grin. "Why, that must be a beak, a bird's beak!" he said.
But the king's satisfaction quickly dissolved into shame. He looked at the multitude of wondrous birds before him - birds in every size and shape imaginable, whose beaks were so essential to their survival - and he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Then he reached out and gently took Hoopoe in his hands, raising the bird high above his head.
Speaking loudly enough for all to hear, Solomon said, "I may have solved Hoopoe's three riddles, but he poses another question for which I have no answer. And that is: Why should any of you give up your beaks? Your beaks are not mine to take. Hear this! There shall be no palace made from beaks."
The great relief he saw in the bird's eyes was almost enough to make mighty Solomon cry. To the brave hoopoe in his hand he said, "It takes a wise man to know when he's been a fool. And what a fool I have been. My small friend, you have shown far greater wisdom than I. You are a king among birds!"
Asking Hoopoe to stay behind, Solomon addressed the others. "You may go now! Blessings upon you! The grateful king then summoned his royal goldsmith and had him fashion a tiny crown for Hoopoe, which he carefully placed on the bird's head.
Hoopoe wears the crown to this day, where it serves as a reminder that true wisdom can be found in even the smallest among us.