The Guaraní legend of the hummingbird

An ancient story

Legend has it that one day there was a huge fire in the forest. All the animals fled in fear, because it was a terrible fire.

Suddenly, the jaguar saw the hummingbird pass over its head... in the opposite direction, that is, towards the fire. He was greatly missed, but he didn't want to stop. Instantly, she saw it go by again, this time in the same direction. He could observe this coming and going again and again, until he decided to ask the little bird, because it seemed to him a very strange behavior:

• - What are you doing hummingbird? , he asked.
• “I'm going to the lake,” he answered, “I drink water with my beak and put it on the fire to put out the fire.
  The jaguar smiled.‍
• - Are you crazy? —he said—. Do you think you're going to be able to turn it off with your little beak by yourself?
• “No,” answered the hummingbird, “I know I can't alone. But that forest is my home. It feeds me, it gives shelter to me and my family, and I am grateful to him for that. And I help it grow by pollinating its flowers. I am part of him and he is part of me. I know that I can't turn it off alone, but I have to do my part.

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At that moment, the spirits of the forest listening to the hummingbird were moved by the small bird and its devotion to the forest. And miraculously they sent a heavy downpour, which ended the fire.

Indian grandmothers told this story to their grandchildren, concluding:
“Do you want to attract miracles to your life? Do your part!”

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