Story #5

I decided to add this story to my collection for a couple of reasons.  First, I want to point out the source.  This story was written down by an American anthropologist who was lucky enough to get to hear this South American Indian oral tradition.  The story was told to Jonathan Reyman by the Cayapa people who live in Ecuador.  Since the Hyacinth Macaw is not a native bird of this region, it is thought that the story originated in Brazil.  I was inspired to add this story following the story about the duckling because it sends a very different message about taking the advice of others.  I don't mean to confuse anyone especially my own child, but I think this is a subtle way of introducing the kind of conflict that appears in life when decisions have to be based on the individual's perception of reality.

Both the text and the image came from Jonathan E. Reyman PhD. D.  For full bibliographical reference, please click here.

Hyacinth Macaw has always been a big, bright blue bird.  But he used to live a carefree life, high up in the trees.  He was proud his place high up in the forest.  He could reach most anything to eat because his beak was long and pointed.  This ease in life eventually lead him to believe that he could do anything he wanted.

Hyacinth Macaw wanted more than anything to fly higher in the sky than any bird had ever flown.  He wanted to fly high enough to touch the sun.  He decided he could do it and began to brag to all his friends even before the deed was done.  He laughed at all the other birds when they called him a fool.  They tried to tell him it was foolish to even try to touch what gives energy to life on earth.  Even the Shaman of the forest, Tupiyama, was heard to say, "This should not be done.  Even Condor, Eagle and Vulture, who are stronger than you, do not dare use their strength to try to touch the sun."

Hyacinth Macaw ignored all advice and took off into the sky, flying higher than ever.  He enjoyed feeling the sun warm his wings as he got closer.  But he did not realize how long his fateful flight would be until he got too close to the sun and ran out of energy.  He felt so weak, he could not hold up his wings and he fell smack-dab into the face of the sun.

Hyacinth Macaw landed on the sun beak first.  He landed so hard, his beak curved under on the end and bent in the middle.  The sun was so hot, he could feel the heat on his cheeks and his feet were singed as he stumbled off the surface of the sun.  As he fell away from the sun, Hyacinth Macaw tried to regain control.  He was barely able to stop himself from smashing into the side of a tree.  When he landed he was very tired and very hungry.  He saw some tasty termites burrowing into the tree, but when he pecked at them, he realized what had happened to his beak. Then he realized how hard it would be for him to gather food with his beak in that condition.  He was so upset, he just wanted to fly back to his nest and go to sleep.  On his way home, Hyacinth Macaw noticed that all the other birds were laughing as he passed by.  He could not stand to be laughed at, so he flew back down to the forest floor to ask Tupiyama what could be done.

When Hyacinth Macaw found Tupiyama, he already knew what had happened.  Tupiyama told him he should have listened to the first time because know Hyacinth Macaw was stuck with his decision.  Now Hyacinth Macaw would have to live lower in forest so he could gather nuts to fill his belly and all the other birds would laugh at his sun scorched cheeks.  Tupiyama told him that his life was forever changed so he would always remember to listen to the advice of those wiser than himself.