Who were the King's real friends? How were they rewarded?

Yes, I like the story because it humorously criticizes the flaws of a rigid and meaningless education system.

The story shows that mechanical and forced education without freedom can destroy natural talent.

The King’s real friends were the goldsmiths, scholars, scribes, teachers, maintenance workers, and the King’s nephews who were involved in the bird’s education.

They were rewarded with money, handsome salaries, fees, and other royal rewards from the King. Some even received gold chains, medals, and other benefits for their work.

The scholars, ministers, and officials who were responsible for training the parrot were the ultimate beneficiaries.

People admired the beautiful cage and thought the bird was lucky even if it learned nothing.

The scholars thought the bird was ignorant because its straw nest could not hold knowledge, so they built a grand cage and began stuffing it with books.

Because the bird was uneducated and only ate fruits from the forest without serving any useful purpose.