The story of King Solomon and the queen of Sheba as stated in the holy books and scriptures also tell us about the intelligence of a bird. In the grand court of King Solomon jinns and animals besides men, were present according to ranks and order, to carry out any assignment entrusted to them. Once when the court of King Solomon was held in all its grandeur, Solomon noticing the absence of the Hoopoe, said, “Why is it, I see not the hoopoe? or is he among the absentees? I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty or execute him unless he comes up with the clear reason for his absence”.
The hoopoe tarried not long, he came up and in reply to the inquiry of King Solomon submitted, “I have come up with such information which will certainly he not in your knowledge, that is, in Yemen, there is a Queen of Sheba. God has provided her with every requisite and she has a magnificent throne. The Queen and her subject practice the worship of the sun. Satan has misled them and they do not worship the One and Only God”. King Solomon said, “Soon shall we see whether you have told the truth or lied.
Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them and see what they have to say about it”.
When hoopoe dropped the letter before the Queen, she was leaving for sun-worshipping. The queen studied the contents of the letter and said to her courtiers. “Here is a letter delivered to me, it is from Solomon and reads,” In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission to the True God. “She said, after reading out the letter, “Ye chiefs advise me in this regard, no affair have I decided without your consultation. They replied, “There is no need to be afraid as we are endued with strength and given to vehement war but the command is yours, so consider what you decide” The queen expressed, “keeping in view, the way this letter is delivered to us, we should take a considered step in this regard and I would like to send an emissary to Solomon with gifts and presents”. When the envoys of Queen of Sheeba reached Solomon he said, “Take these presents back and tell your Queen if she did not acknowledge my message, I shall come to Sheeba with a great army and they will never be able to defend themselves”.
