Some people bear an attitude of superiority or self-importance and show little consideration for other people. Such a condescending attitude can lead to loss of power, status or prosperity.

Money Bags’ downfall is as a result of his arrogance. He is a powerful and authoritative figure in the parliament of owls. He claims the reign of Royal Owl should be smooth and eternal. He sponsors a bill that benefits only the ruling elite. He claims that hornbills like Arum Tidi are not even half of what owls are. He says that parliament of owls is revered and is for the chosen few so hopeless little birds like Oyundi cannot access it. Money Bags is Royal Owl’s blue eyed bird. Royal Owl trusts him and listens to him. He claims he is the second most decorated owl in history. He proposes that parliament of owls needs a loyalty pledge. All the birds should praise the owls and worship Royal Owl and Money Bags. Money Bags has the powers to order Police Owl to arrest other birds. He is elated when he says Osogo is singing in praise of owls. His downfall begins when birds form a coalition to fight against the arrogance of owls. When Oyundi paints him as a traitor, he falls out of favour with Royal Owl. He cowers when Royal Owl orders him to shut up. He is relieved of all his duties, stripped of all his titles and state commendations and arrested. All his accomplices are sentenced to life imprisonment. He is later killed. (P11, 23, 35, 30, 50-52, 64, 93, 96, 98, 100, 115, 117, 120, 122, 124)

Royal Owl, Tula Nyongoro, the King of the Birds falls from grace because of his pride. He is a powerful king and most owls pledge their loyalty to him. He says owls are the only birds that can fly highest in the night. That gods created them intelligent and chose them to rule the Kingdom because of their intelligence. When he arrives at the parliament carried by Puppet Owls, everybody rises to the kingdom’s anthem to mark his arrival. Royal Owl declares that he will rule until he dies for the sake of peace and prosperity of the Kingdom. Because of such arrogance and pride, the other birds form a coalition to overthrow the owls.  Royal Owl’s powers are stored in the golden bead which gives him the wisdom and power to govern all birds. Without it he loses the power to lead. When he orders Police Owl to arrest Oyundi and send her to Python’s land, Police Owl does not comply. Royal Owl is now powerless. Oyundi then pounces on him and he makes a cowardly cry and scampers for safety. Oyundi manages to overthrow Royal Owl and take over power. (P11, 22, 55-56, 107, 118, 124-125)

Arum Tidi is a witty propagandist of royal trees who is blessed with the gift of the gab but his arrogance leads to his downfall. He says that he does not sing. He only blows his own trumpet to which Tel Tel replies that she detests arrogance. He welcomes Red String to witness as he showcases his wits. He also reminds him not to trust “these” small birds. When Red String calls him a smart fellow, he says, “Of course I am … as always. Old is always gold”. He proudly calls himself “Honourable Arum Tidi, the honourable hornbill”. When the owls realize that Arum Tidi knows too much, they conspire to use him to spread propaganda and later kill him. They are dismayed that he averred that the Moonlight Law will protect the hornbills too. They plan to bar him from Royal Trees and also to refuse to pay him. Eventually, they enlist the services of One Eyed Owl who kills Arum Tidi. (P 14-15, 17, 37-38, 42, 61)

Socialite Owl is the highhanded secret lover to Money Bags. She posits that owls are superior and is offended when Iron Lady compares them to chickens which she says are cowardly. Arrogantly, she cautions her against comparing Money Bags to lily-livered chickens. At the climax of their spat, together with Red String, she drags Iron Lady from the floor and kicks her out of the chamber. She calls Arum Tidi crazy for saying the Moonlight Law will also protect the hornbills. Her downfall comes with the collapse of the rule of owls. The birds gang up to overthrow the owls because of their arrogance. Royal Owl sentences all accomplices to Money Bags including, Socialite Owl, to life imprisonment. (P11, 28-29, 35, 37, 122)

Red Strings is a powerful sycophant and the King’s advisor whose arrogance contributes to his downfall. He comes out before dusk in contravention to the rules but he says rules are there to be broken. He tells Osogo that owls will rule for many generations from now and may never be overthrown. Owls will be at the helm because they have the largest eyes and day birds and grain eaters will never have a chance to run the Kingdom – only night birds and omnivores can. Tel Tel tells him that some birds have formed a coalition to save the Kingdom owing to the arrogance of Parliament of Owls. Red String tells Arum Tidi about a book written by Royal Owl, claiming it is meant only for owls because it is coded and has deep vocabulary. Red String makes it clear that the Moonlight Law is meant to protect owls only, not other birds like hornbills. He also enforces unfair laws that favour owls and night birds and restricts movements of other birds. His downfall comes with the fall of the rule of owls. Royal Owl sentences all accomplices to Money Bags, including Red String, to life imprisonment. When he makes this declaration, Police Owl looks at the Puppet Owls and signals them to move away from the throne. (P1, 2-3, 5, 11, 16, 18, 20, 35, 37, 75, 122)

In conclusion, pride goes before a fall. People that feel superior to others ultimately lose their power, money or status.