Two birds rest on the same tree; br their eyes are bright; br br they look alike; yet one br is the Teacher; one the Student; br br the Student tastes all the many fruits br upon that tree; the Teacher sits, just watches, br br filled with love and pride; br the eyes of both are bright; br br when the Student has tasted all, br the Teacher asks what has been learnt; for br br only the Teacher knows within their heart: br that now the Student is the teacher; br br the Teacher listens as a student; br the Student speaks now as a teacher br br who has learned this of themself; br the Teacher’s eyes are bright: br br knowing that to live it through br shows the knowledge to be true; br br the Student is teaching the Teacher now, of br how to teach; the Teacher glows to know br br the Student may surpass the Teacher; br knowledge shines from both their eyes; br br who is the more glorious of these two br who share both the same name? br br who rejoice to need the other; br who rejoice to be the other; br br now they are silent; now the tree’s rejoicing too; br Its roots above; its fruits below; br br its leaves, a shelter; br its branches, home. br br * br br [ Leaning on a poem of Kabir: Indian readers will be familiar with br 'two birds in a tree' as a metaphor for acting with detachment; Kabir takes this further, into knowledge gained from wise action...