A partridge always sang in its master’s house. While the master sat and ate, the partridge would sing. A short time later, the master brought home a small hawk. When the partridge saw the hawk, it escaped and hid under the bed and never opened its mouth again.

One day the master came in to eat and asked a member of his family, “Why isn’t the partridge singing today?”

“Because you brought home a small hawk, and the partridge is afraid. That is why it does not sing. Get rid of the hawk and it will sing again.”

-- Agadot Bereshit 58 (Buber Ed., p. 116)

NOTES