Cinco cuentas de las Mayas / Five Mayan Stories

From JoAnne LaBastille, 15 January 2000

Cuentos populares de Mayan del cinco de los pajaros

Mucho antes Columbus descubris el mundo nuevo, tres grandes naciones nativas—Maya, Aztec, e Inca—central y Suramirica habitadas.

Hoy, todavma el Mayas vivo en la regisn donde por siglos han dado abajo de leyendas sobre pajaros y otros animales. El ecologista Anne LaBastille de la fauna primero oys algunos de estos cuentos de un Yucatecan nativo, y el naturalista nombrs a Ramon Castillo Perez, que alternadamente los oys en aldeas alejadas. En estas paginaciones, partes de LaBastille cinco tales historias, adaptadas pajaros de su libro ' del Mayas. Los cuentos datan probablemente de los tiempos de pre-Columbian, revelando un arte antiguo de birdwatching y del aprecio.

Contribuido Cerca: Calle Portland Del Aliso Del SE De JoAnne LaBastille 537, O 97214

Porqui el Motmot Vives en un agujero

Uno de los pajaros reales que vivieron durante la ipoca del reino temprano del pajaro de la pista de Maya se divirtis una cola larga, brillante, delicada de muchos colores. Toj, el motmot, mirado casi tan bastante como rey Kukul. Todos los pajaros para su cola lo admirs y il nunca hizo cualquier trabajo que pudiera daqarla. En lugar, il vols a las profundidades frescas de la selva cada maqana con otros pajaros reales, y allm pasaron el dma, contando bromas e historias. Al mediodma, puede ser que gocen de un almuerzo ligero de insectos o de lagartos. Incluso entonces, Toj engatusarma a sus compaqeros en el alimento catching y traerlelo para no daqar sus plumas.

Un gatherd negro de las nubes del mediodma de arriba. Los animales lanzaron nervioso alrededor, buscando el abrigo. Un silencio del stange llens el bosque, y se parecma que una tormenta tropical estaba a punto de repartir. Yum Chac, el dios de la lluvia, era jubiloso, para ahora il vendrma abajo de los cielos donde il habma pasado la estacisn seca del invierno. Pues il planeaba su diversisn, il records que isa antes de una tormenta tan feroz habma causado una vez las inundaciones pesadas. Mucho del mundo de Maya habma sido inundated, y muchos animales fueron matados. Yum Chac crecis aprensivo, pensando en el daqo que lo hace su fuerza de la tormenta. Immediatley, il convocs una reunisn del emregency de los pajaros y explics el peligro. Despuis il hizo un plan para la supervivencia y asigns a cada pajaro una tarea de realizarse en caso de que de inundaciones.

Algunos pajaros debman cortar las ramificaciones para una presa; otros eran levantar y llevar los miembros pesados. Algunos debman tejer hierbas y las ramitas alrededor de ellos para hacer la presa del th hermitica. Los mensajeros rapidos debman advertir todo el passersby de la amenaza. Los pajaros que permanecman generalmente cerca de la tierra fueron dados el trabajo de recoger las frutas y los girmenes y los arbustos para las reservas del alimento y de la replantacisn si sea la necesidad. El znico quiin se quejs en el trabajo duro era el motmot.

soy un aristocrat! Toj explics. no soy un laborer.

Los otros pajaros impulsaron el motmot para ayudar. Indignadamente, il toms su lugar entre los presa-constructores. Pronto, il era cansado y sudoroso, siendo inusitado al trabajo fmsico. Il hizo furtivamente tan apagado en el cepillo, encontrs un lugar que ocultaba y durmis. Convencido lo camuflaron bien, il no nots que su cola se pegs hacia fuera conclumdo un rastro adonde los trabajadores pasaban con las cargas.

Una cierta hora mas adelante, Toj desperts y oys los pajaros el cantar. La tormenta habma soplado encima sin mucho daqo, y el reino entero del pajaro rejoicing. Los pajaros nobles llamados a Toj. Toda volaron a su punto preferido en la selva y comenzaron a preening y a limpiar su plummage. El motmot, como de costumbre, perched en una ramificacisn levemente sobre los otros asm que pudieron lo mas mejor posible admore su cola hermosa.

Repentinamente, los pajaros comenzaron a remr. Seqalaron en Toj y dicho, su cola esta arruinada. Usted debe haber daqadola con su trabajo duro.

El motmot mirs con fijeza abajo y los ejes descubiertos de la sierra dos que se pegaban hacia fuera de su cuerpo. Solamente dos tabulaciones cortas de plumas fueron dejadas en cada extremo. Horrorizado, il realizs qui habma sucedido mientras que il durmis. Conceited el pajaro no podma estar parado deje a sus amigos nobles aprender la verdad. Con su orgullo machacado, il aletes lejos a la parte mas profunda, mas oscura de la selva tropical. Allm, il cavs un agujero en una baterma y se arrastrs adentro. A este dma, Toj ha seguido siendo un recluse de la selva que evita otros pajaros y hace su hogar en un agujero.

Cuando la gente requiere su ayuda, eche adentro. Isa es la moraleja de la leyenda del motmot, que se relaciona no solamente porqui el pajaro vive en un agujero, pero tambiin los ecplains la dimensisn de una variable inusual de su

de la cola la madre hace quien era demasiado orgulloso de largo

polluelo-bul, el ani, eran un pajaro rosado bonito. Su mejor calidad pone en ser una madre atenta, cariqosa. El amigo mas cercano del polluelo-bul era un halcsn pequeqo conocido como Canan-columna. Los dos pajaros eran inseparables. El polluelo-bul sabma que el halcsn relished los pajaros minzsculos para el postre. Asm pues, cuando llegs su primera crma de bebis, ella pidis la Canan-columna para no comerlos por error. la Canan-columna prometis tener cuidado.

Una maqana, el halcsn se desperts con una gran hambre, y ella seemd que solamente un nestful de pequeqos polluelos satisfarma su anhelar. Ella dijo el polluelo-bul que ella era caza que iba pero que dijo el ani no ser referida sobre sus jsvenes. Ser segura, ella pidis una descripcisn de la jerarquma y de los bebis. El ani los pints como siendo los jsvenes mas hermosos del reino del pajaro.

la Canan-columna comenzs su caza. Volando conclumdo un arbol del acacia, ella espis una jerarquma de los pequeqos pajaros blancos, borrosos, regordetes. Ella swooped mas bajo y vio que eran gorda, blanda y jugosa. En hecho, estaban asm que bastante, el halcsn penss que deben ser niqos del polluelo-bul. Verdad a su promesa, ella a la izquierda ellos ilesa y vols encendido. Aqum y allm ella cogis un insecto, algunos lagartos, una serpiente pequeqa, pero azn ella el anhelar permanecido para algunos pajaros del bebi.

El crecimiento se canss, Canan-columna bajs en otro arbol del acacia. Cerca del miembro inferior, ella oys pmos minzsculos. Ella salts mas bajo y descubris una jerarquma pequeqa con el negro seises, polluelos scrawny, feos, gaping-articulados. Debman apenas bastante hacer el postre, pero la Canan-columna los engulls para arriba y despuis vols de nuevo a ensambla a su amigo.

En el noontime, el polluelo-bul volvis a su jerarquma, girmenes que llevaban y orugas para su crma. Mientras que ella agits abajo, ella vio con horror una jerarquma vacma y el bebi abajo disperss alrededor. Gritando en pena, ella desplums en su plummage y maldijo la Canan-columna.

un qui traidor mi amigo results ser! Ella rompis su promesa y comis a mis niqos pobres.

El polluelo-bul resolvis encontrar el halcsn y atacarla. El ani finalmente encontrs la Canan-columna el dormitar en un arbol del copal.

usted traidor! Usted monstruo! El polluelo-bul grits. usted rompis su promesa! Mis bebis son muertos e idos!

la Canan-columna desperts en choque para ver a su amigo en tal rabia.

porqui, Chick-bul-bul querido, yo guards mi palabra, ella dijo. encontri sus seis birdlets y a la izquierda los blancos bonitos solamente. Nunca incluso consiguieron una ojeada de mm para asustarlos. Yo comm solamente seis runts negros, pequeqos pobres que encontri mas adelante. No habrman podido ser sus bebis.

Entonces el ani realizs cuanto ella debe haber exagerado sobre sus niqos, como todas las madres como para hacer.

Ella se arrastrs sorrowfully a casa y puso plumas encendido del luto. A este dma, todos los anis han desgastado negro, y crispan sus colas hacia adelante y hacia atras en pena.

Por qui el colorante del ani hace que el pajaro aparece estar en el luto?

La respuesta, segzn leyenda, miente en una amistad aventurada entre un ani de la madre y un halcsn con un gusto para el de los polluelos.

hace csmo eligieron al rey de pajaros de largo

en pajaros de las flores de la pista de Maya, las mariposas de los arboles y los mammferos aparecieron en los otros colores y dimensisn de una variable que los de hoy. Halach-Uinic, el gran alcohol guards conclumdo todo el mundo de Maya. La suya voluntad era ley. Un dma sea crecis cansado de la charla constante y de luchar entre los pajaros. En una reunisn en el centro del bosque, il anuncis que los pajaros deben elegir a un rey para guardar paz.

Por supuesto, cada pajaro penss que poseys las mejores calificaciones. Columna-col-pol-che-che, el cardenal cants, mirada en mm. Ninguno otro es rojo y tan hermoso brillantes. Todos los pajaros me admiran. Yo si il el rey. Y il apuntals delante de las audiencias impresionadas del pajaro, agitando sus alas y levantando su cresta. la X-columna-columna-chek, el mockingbird tropical, trilled hacia fuera, yo es el znico pajaro con una voz tan encantadora. Cada uno escucha mm. Agrandando su garganta, la X-columna dio un funcionamiento corto de melodmas encantadoras y complicadas. Esto era una enorme sensacisn entre los pajaros y entrs lejos en el convencimiento de ellos que el mockingbird debe ser rey. Entonces el pavo salvaje, Cutz, anduvo a trancos en el cmrculo y engullido, no hay duda que debo ser rey porque soy el pajaro mas grande y mas stongest. Con mi talla y stength, puedo parar luchas y tambiin defender cualquier pajaro. Usted necesita a un rey de gran alcance. Soy el! Y por eso, a travis de dma varios los pajaros visualizaron sus calidades. El znico que guardado silenciosamente era Kukul, el quetzal. Este pajaro era muy ambicioso y orgulloso. Il tenma maneras elegantes y un cuerpo graecful, pero su plummage~ era lamentable. Kukul penss que serma imposible ser elegido como rey mientras que lo vistieron tan mal. Despuis de pensar cuidadosamente il vols encima a su amigo, Xtuntun-kinil, el roadrunner. deseo hacerle un asunto, mi amigo querido, il dijo.

sus plumas estan asm que hermoso como cualquier pajaro aqum, pero usted esta demasiado ocupado con su trabajo como mensajero de los caminos hacer rey. Tambiin, no le pienso los posess absolutamente el flair y la sofisticacisn que es necesaria para este trabajo. Estoy asustado que no puedo prestarle estas calidades, pero usted podrma prestarme sus plumas apenas para esta ocasisn.

Despuis de que me elijan rey, compartiri la abundancia y los honores con vou. Era una oferta el tentar, con todo el roadrunner no se sentma demasiado impaciente parte con su plumaje. Kukul guards el persuadir y el asegurar de Xtuntun de su integridad e intenciones finas. Il pints las visiones brillantes de los riches para venir. En el zltimo, il convencis a su amigo que confiaba en. Uno por uno, las plumas desaparecieron del cuerpo de Xtuntsun y del quetzal listo ajustada les sus el propio. Dentro de minutos, se habman multiplicado y crecido de modo que fuera el pajaro ambicioso attired en el traje mas esplindido imaginable. La cola de Kukul colgs en una curva arrebatadora de los plumes del verde del jade. Su cuerpo shimmered con tonalidades suaves, iridiscentes de azul y de verde como el cielo y la selva de Maya. Su pecho ardis con los colores de una puesta del sol tropical. Y su pico dio vuelta a amarillo como mamz.

Haciendo pivotar su cola exquisita 4-foot en un arco, el pajaro en negrilla promenaded en el cmrculo donde los pajaros de la pista de Maya fueron juntados. Su entrada causs un silencio. Entonces los gritos del bravo, Hurrah, Oh y amperio hora fllled el bosque. Halach-Uinic estaba muy contento con el cambio milagroso del pajaro reservado, monstono a esta criatura radiante, orgullosa antes de il. Llamando a las audiencias para ordenar, el gran alcohol declars: nombre de I el quetzal a ser rey o los pajaros. Un aplauso ruidoso siguis este aviso y cada pajaro salts encima al quetzal con felicitaciones. Finalmente, todas volaron Kukul casero e izquierdo para comenzar sus nuevos deberes. Il se encontrs extremadamente ocupado asm que il nunca tenma tiempo para volver las plumas prestadas. En hecho, il se olvids de todos sobre su promesa al roadrunner. Un dma, un grupo de pajaros nots que el roadrunner no habma aparecido en varios dmas. En hecho, nadie lo habman visto desde la eleccisn de la avena mondada. Comenzaron a sospechar Kukul de un cierto truco, asm que ordenaron una bzsqueda.

Profundamente en el bosque detras de un arbusto, encontraron Xtuntun-kinil, descubierto, wlth del temblor frmo y casi los muertos del hambre. Rapidamente, los pajaros le dieron un cierto balche (bebida de la miel) para ayudarle a recuperarse. Cuando il podma, el roadrunner les dijo del engaqo cruel jugado por el quetzal. Il guards el decir, Puhuy? Puhuy? cual significa que donde es il? Donde esta il? en el lenguaje de Maya. Todos los pajaros se sentman apesadumbrados por el roadrunner y decidman que cada uno debe donar algunas plumas para cubrirlo. El mockingbird incluso cants una cancisn alegre para levantar el valor del pajaro desconcertado. Ise es porqui las plumas del roadrunner se colorean hoy y se varman tan extraqamente en modelo, y porqui il mira siempre los caminos de Maya. Il es el searchinig inmsvil para que quits su plumaje y todavma ejecutarse ansiosamente delante de las hojas de ruta (traveler) que pedman, el Puhuy quetzal? Puhuy? el

csmo sintis bien el Mockingbird al mejor cantante

cuando X-CHOL-COL-CHEK, el mockingbird, era joven, su familia era alineada muy pobre, y shecould solamente en plumas ssrdidas. Desde que la tramaron, sin embargo, la X-columna habma visualizado una voz magnmfica. Ella deses tomar cantar Iessons pero no podrma producirlos. El mockingbird era afortunado obtener el trabajo con una familia rica y noble de cardenales. Ese invierno, profesor cantante famoso, el Dr. Xcau, el mirlo melodious, vino a la pista de Maya. El cardenal del padre se imaginaba inmediatamente que su hija, Columna-col-pol-che-che, podrma hacer cantante fino. Ella era inztil perezoso y odiado estudiar. Pero prometiindole muchos regalos finos, el padre le convencis a que intentara cantar lecciones. Cuando Columna-col-pol-che-che fue con el Dr. Xcau a una parte reservada de las maderas a comenzar su curso de la mzsica, X-columna seguida y ocultada en los arbustos para escuchar y para aprender. Entonces ella compitis con de nuevo a final sus tareas. Por semanas, el profesor intents hacer que el cardenal de la muchacha canta dulce, pero sin ixito. Il pronto realizs que ella tenma ni la voz ni la ambicisn. Il estaba asustado decir a su padre rico despuis de una hora tan larga, validando muchos de dinero.

Asm pues, il finalmente vols lejos lejos se olvids del asunto entero. Mientras tanto, la X-columna habma estado practicando. Una maqana, Columna-col-pol-che-che sucedis omrla y muy fue sorprendida en la capacidad de su pequeqa criada. Que el mismo dma, el cardenal del padre decidma a su hija debe dar un concierto para sus amigos.

Aterrorizaron a la muchacha indolente, con todo ella se atrevis a no decirle padres que ella no podrma cantar. Ella penss en la voz encantadora del mockingbird y decidma pedirle ayuda. Los dos pajaros pidieron Colote, el woodpecker, para agujerear un agujero en el tronco del arbol donde Columna-col-pol-che-che perca. Entonces el mockingbird ocultarma adentro. Mientras que Columna-col-pol-che-che fingis cantar, la voz verdadera vendrma de la X-columna dentro. En el da del concierto, todos los nobles, cantantes, artistas y mzsicos entre los pajaros vinieron. Columna-col-pol-che-che salts hacia fuera en un miembro del arbol pzrpura-floreciente elegido por su padre, arqueado a las audiencias y abierto su cuenta. La voz mas exquisita omda siempre en el mundo de Maya vino vertiendo hacia fuera y produjo eco a travis de las maderas. Los pajaros en las audiencias aletearon sus alas y gritaron para la llamada de la cortina despuis de que llamada de la cortina.

El padre, sin embargo, no aplaudma. Il habma descubierto la verdad momentos antes que el concierto comenzs cuando il vio la X-columna arrastrarse en el pequeqo agujero. Cuando el aplauso termins y el cardenal acabs muchos arqueamientos, su padre vols para arriba al lado de ella y pidis silencio. Il salts encima al agujero y llams el mockingbird para salir. El pajaro pequeqo, descolorido temblaba con el fright, pero el padre de Columna-col-pol-che-che la condujo suavemente a una perca delante de las audiencias enteras. Entonces il explics que su hija habma trampeado cada uno, incluyendo il. era realmente este pequeqo ' usignuolo tmmido ' quiin cants el tiempo entero, que il anuncis. La muchedumbre iba salvaje y exigida que la X-columna canta otra vez. Esta vez, exteriores y liberan de su fright, el mockingbird cants como nunca antes y gans el corazsn de cada pajaro. A partir de ese tiempo encendido, todos sus descendientes heredaron su voz encantadora, pero los cardenales nunca han aprendido csmo cantar. la moraleja de esta leyenda esta sobre capacidad, identidad y la bzsqueda de sueqos. el regalo del

al Hummingbird Tzunuum, el hummingbird,

fue creado por el gran espiritu como pajaro minzsculo, delicado con capacidad extraordinaria del vuelo. Ella era el znico pajaro en el reino que podrman volar al revis y que podrma asomar en un punto por varios segundos. El hummingbird era muy llano. Ella las plumas no tenma ningzn color brillante, con todo ella no importaba. Tzunuum toms orgullo en su habilidad del vuelo y era feliz con su vida a pesar de ella las miradas. Cuando vino hora de ser casado, Tzunuum encontrs que ella tenma ni un vestido de la boda ni un collar. Ella era asm que decepcionado y triste que algunos de sus mejores amigos decidman crear una alineada y una joyerma de la boda como sorpresa. Ya, el flycatcher vermillion-coronado desgasts un anillo carmesm alegre de plumas alrededor de su garganta en esos dmas. Il decidma utilizarlo como su regalo. Il remetis tan algunos plumes rojos su corona y dio el resto al hummingbird para su collar. Uchilchil, el bluebird, abundante donado varias plumas del azul para su vestido. El motmot inztil, no ser aventajado, offerd mas turquesa azul y verde de la esmeralda. El cardenal, asimismo, dio algunos rojos. Entonces, Yuyum, el oriole, que era personalizacisn excelente tan bien como un ingeniero, cosis encima de todo el plumaje en un vestido exquisito de la boda para el pequeqo hummingbird. El amperio hora -leum, la araqa, arrastrada para arriba con un Web fragil tejida de gossamer brillante rosca para su velo.

Ella ayuds a diseqos intrincados de la armadura de seqora Yuyum en la alineada. Canac, la abeja de la miel, omda hablar la boda y dicha todos sus amigos que sabman y tuvieron gusto del hummingbird.

Trajeron mucha miel y nictar para la recepcisn y los centenares de las flores que eran favoritos de Tzunuum. Entonces el arbol azar cays una alfombra de pitalos conclumdo la tierra donde ocurrirma la ceremonia. Ella ofrecis dejs Tzunuum y ella preparar pasa su luna de miel en ella las ramificaciones. Pakal, el arbol anaranjado, hacia fuera puestas flores perfumadas, al igual que Nicte, la vid del plumeria. Haaz (el arbusto del platano), de Op. Sys. (el arbol de la anona) y Pichi y puesto (los arbustos de la guayaba y de la papaya) asegurado que sus frutas fueran maduras asm que las huispedes de la boda encontrarman los refrigerios deliciosos. Y, finalmente, una venda grande de mariposas en todos los colores llegs para bailar y para agitar gaily alrededor del sitio de la boda del hummingbird. Cuando llegs el dma de la boda, Tzunuum era asm que sorprendido, feliz y agradecido que ella podrma descubierto twitter ella los votos. El gran espiritu admirs tan su alma humilde, honesta que il envis palabra traga con su mensajero, Cozumel, el trago, que el hummingbird podrma desgastar su vestido de la boda para el resto de su vida. Y, a este dma, ella tiene. Csmo el humility de uno largo-hace hummingbird causs a sus descendientes a los colores brillantes del deporte? La leyenda dice que estaban al principio encendido prestan de otros

Five Mayan Folk Tales

Long before Columbus discovered the New World, three great native races -- Maya, Aztec, and Inca—inhabited Central and South America. Today, the Mayas still live in the region where for centuries they have handed down legends about birds and other animals. Wildlife ecologist Anne LaBastille first heard some of these tales from a native Yucatecan, and naturalist named Ramon Castillo Perez, who in turn heard them in remote villages. On these pages, LaBastille shares five such stories, adapted from her book 'Birds of the Mayas'.

The tales probably date back to pre-Columbian times, revealing an ancient art of birdwatching and appreciation.

Contributed By:

JoAnne LaBastille
537 SE Alder Street
Portland, OR 97214

Why the Motmot Lives in a Hole

One of the Royal birds who lived during the time of the early bird kingdom of Maya Land sported a long, shiny, delicate tail of many colors. Toj, the motmot, looked almost as pretty as King Kukul. He was admired by all the birds for his tail and he never did any work that might harm it. Instead, he flew to the cool depths of the jungle every morning with other royal birds, and there they spent the day, telling jokes and stories. At noon, they might enjoy a light lunch of insects or lizards. Even then, Toj would coax his companions into catching food and bringing it to him so as not to damage his feathers.

One noon black clouds gatherd overhead. Animals darted nervously about, looking for shelter. A stange hush filled the forest, and it seemed that a tropical storm was about to burst. Yum Chac, the rain god, was jubilant, for now he would come down from the skies where he had spent the winter dry season. As he was planning his fun, he remembered that once before such a fierce storm had caused heavy floods. Much of the Maya World had been inundated, and many animals were killed. Yum Chac grew apprehensive, thinking of the damage his storm might do. Immediatley, he called an emregency meeting of the birds and explained the danger. Then he made a plan for survival and assigned each bird a task to perform in case of floods.

Some birds were to cut branches for a dam; others were to lift and carry the heavy limbs. Some were to weave grasses and twigs around them to make th dam watertight. The swift messengers were to warn all passersby of the threat. Birds who usually stayed close to the ground were given the job of collecting fruits and seeds and shrubs for food reserves and replanting if need be. The only one who complained at the hard work was the motmot.

I'm an aristocrat! Toj explained. I'm not a laborer.

The other birds urged the motmot to help. Indignantly, he took his place among the dam-builders. Soon, he was tired and sweaty, being unused to physical work. So he sneaked off into the brush, found a hiding place and slept. Convinced he was well camouflaged, he did not notice that his tail stuck out over a trail where the workers were passing with the loads.

Some time later, Toj woke up and heard the birds singing. The storm had blown over without much harm, and the entire bird kingdom was rejoicing. The noble birds called to Toj. They all flew to their favorite spot in the jungle and began preening and cleaning their plummage. The motmot, as usual, perched on a branch slightly above the others so they might best admore his handsome tail.

Suddenly, the birds began to laugh. They pointed at Toj and said, Your tail is ruined. You must have damaged it with your hard work.

The motmot peered down and saw two naked shafts sticking out from his body. Only two short tabs of feathers were left at each end. Horrified, he realized what had happened while he slept. The conceited bird could not stand to let his noble friends learn the truth. With his pride crushed, he flapped away to the deepest, darkest part of the rain forest. There, he dug a hole in a bank and crawled inside. To this day, Toj has remained a jungle recluse who shuns other birds and makes his home in a hole.

When other people require your help, pitch in. That's the moral of the motmot's legend, which not only relates why the bird lives in a hole, but also ecplains the unusual shape of its tail.

The Mother Who Was Too Proud

Long ago, Chick-bul, the ani, was a pretty pink bird. Her best quality lay in being an attentive, loving mother. Chick-bul's closest friend was a small hawk known as Canan-col. The two birds were inseparable. Chick-bul knew that the hawk relished tiny birds for dessert. So, when her first brood of babies arrived, she asked Canan-col not to eat them by mistake. Canan-col promised to be careful.

One morning, the hawk awoke with a great hunger, and it seemd that only a nestful of little chicks would satisfy her craving. She told Chick-bul she was going hunting but told the ani not to be concerned about her young. To be sure, she asked for a description of the nest and babies. The ani painted them as being the most beautiful youngsters in the bird kingdom.

Canan-col began her hunt. Flying over an acacia tree, she spied a nest of white, fuzzy, plump little birds. She swooped lower and saw that they were fat, tender and juicy. In fact, they were so pretty, the hawk thought they must be Chick-bul's children. True to her promise, she left them unharmed and flew on. Here and there she caught an insect, a few lizards, a small snake, but still her craving remained for some baby birds.

Growing tired, Canan-col alighted in another acacia tree. Near the bottom limb, she heard tiny peeps. She hopped lower and discovered a small nest with six black, scrawny, ugly, gaping-mouthed chicks. They were hardly enough to make dessert, but Canan-col gobbled them up and then flew back to join her friend.

At noontime, Chick-bul returned to her nest, carrying seeds and caterpillars for her brood. As she fluttered down, she saw with horror an empty nest and baby down scattered about. Crying in grief, she plucked at her plummage and cursed Canan-col.

What a traitor my friend turned out to be! She broke her promise and ate my poor children.

Chick-bul resolved to find the hawk and attack her. The ani finally found Canan-col dozing in a copal tree.

You traitor! You monster! Chick-bul screamed. You broke your promise! My babies are dead and gone!

Canan-col woke up in shock to see her friend in such a rage.

Why, dear Chick-bul, I kept my word, she said. I found your six pretty white birdlets and left them alone. They never even got a glimpse of me to frighten them. I only ate six poor black, little runts that I found later. They couldn't have been your babies.

Then the ani realized how much she must have exaggerated about her children, as all mothers like to do. She dragged herself sorrowfully home and put on mourning feathers. To this day, all anis have worn black, and they twitch their tails back and forth in grief.

Why does the ani's coloring make the bird appear to be in mourning?

The answer, according to legend, lies in a risky friendship between a mother ani and a hawk with a taste for chicks.

How the King of Birds Was Chosen

Long ago, In Maya Land flowers. birds, trees butterflies and mammals appeared in other colors and shapes than those of today. Halach-Uinic, the Great Spirit guarded over all the Maya World.

His will was law. One day be grew tired of the constant chatter and fighting among the birds. At a meeting in the center of the forest, he announced that the birds must choose a king to keep peace.

Of course, each bird thought it possessed the best qualifications. Col-pol-che, the cardinal sang, Look at me. No one else is bright red and so beautiful. All the birds admire me. I should he king. And he strutted in front of the impressed bird audience, fluttering his wings and raising his crest.

X-col-col-chek, the tropical mockingbird, trilled out, I'm the only bird with such a lovely voice. Everyone listens to me. Enlarging his throat, X-col gave a short performance of enchanting and complicated melodies. This was a tremendous sensation among the birds and went far in convincing them that the mockingbird should be king.

Then the wild turkey, Cutz, strode into the circle and gobbled, There's no doubt that I should be king because I'm the biggest and stongest bird. With my size and stength, I can stop fights and also defend any bird. You need a powerful king. I'm the one!

And so, throughout the day various birds displayed their qualities. The only one that kept quiet was Kukul, the quetzal. This bird was very ambitious and proud. He had elegant manners and a graecful body, but his plummage~ was shabby. Kukul thought it would be impossible to be chosen as king while he was dressed so poorly.

After thinking carefully he flew over to his friend, Xtuntun-kinil, the roadrunner. I want to make you a proposition, my dear friend, he said. Your feathers are so handsome as any bird's here, but you are too busy with your work as messenger of the roads to become king. Also, I don't think you posess quite the flair and sophistication that is necessary for this job. I'm afraid I can't loan these qualities to you, but you could loan me your feathers just for this occasion. After I'm elected king, I'll share the wealth and honors with vou.

It was a tempting offer, yet the roadrunner did not feel too eager to part with his plumage. Kukul kept persuading and assuring Xtuntun of his integrity and fine intentions. He painted bright visions of the riches to come. At last, he convinced his trusting friend.

One by one, the feathers disappeared from Xtuntsun's body and the clever quetzal adjusted them to his own. Within minutes, they had multiplied and grown so that the ambitious bird was attired in the most splendid costume imaginable. Kukul's tail hung in a sweeping curve of jade green plumes. His body shimmered with soft, iridescent hues of blue and green like the Maya sky and jungle. His breast blazed with the colors of a tropical sunset. And his beak turned yellow as corn.

Swinging his exquisite 4-foot tail in an arc, the bold bird promenaded into the circle where the birds of Maya Land were congregated. His entrance caused a hush. Then cries of Bravo, Hurrah, Oh and Ah fllled the forest.

Halach-Uinic was very pleased with the miraculous change from the quiet, drab bird to this radiant, proud creature before him. Calling the audience to order, the Great Spirit declared:

I name the quetzal to be king or the birds.

A loud applause followed this announcement and each bird hopped over to the quetzal with congratulations.

Finally, they all flew home and left Kukul to begin his new duties. He found himself extremely busy so he never had time to return the borrowed feathers. In fact, he forgot all about his promise to the roadrunner.

One day, a group of birds noticed that the roadrunner had not appeared in several days. In fact, no one had seen him since the groat election. They began to suspect Kukul of some trick, so they organized a search. Deep into the forest behind a bush, they found Xtuntun-kinil, naked, trembling wlth cold and almost dead of hunger. Quickly, the birds gave him some balche (honey drink) to help him recover.

When he was able, the roadrunner told them of the cruel deception played by the quetzal. He kept saying, Puhuy? Puhuy? which means Where is he? Where is he? in the Maya language. All the birds felt sorry for the roadrunner and decided each should donate a few feathers to cover him. The mockingbird even sang a jolly song to raise the courage of the embarrassed bird.

That is why today the roadrunner's feathers are so oddly colored and varied in pattern, and why he always watches the Maya roads. He is still searchinig for the quetzal that took away his plumage and still running anxiously in front of travelers asking, Puhuy? Puhuy?

How the Mockingbird Became the Best Singer

When X-CHOL-COL-CHEK, the mockingbird, was young, her family was very poor, and she could only dress in dingy feathers. Since she was hatched, however, X-col had displayed a magnificent voice. She wanted to take singing Iessons but could not afford them.

The mockingbird was fortunate to obtain work with a rich and noble family of cardinals. That winter, a famous singing professor, Dr. Xcau, the melodious blackbird, came to Maya Land. The father cardinal immediately imagined that his daughter, Col-pol-che, could become a fine singer. She was lazy vain and hated to study. But by promising her many fine gifts, the father convinced her to try singing lessons.

When Col-pol-che went with Dr. Xcau to a quiet part of the woods to begin her music course, X-col followed and hid in the bushes to listen and learn. Then she raced back to finish her chores. For weeks, the professor tried to make the girl cardinal sing sweetly, but without success. He soon realized she had neither the voice nor the ambition. He was afraid to tell her wealthy father after such a long time, having accepted a lot of money. So, he finally flew far away an forgot the whole affair.

Meanwhile, X-col had been practicing. One morning, Col-pol-che happened to hear her and was very surprised at her little maid's ability. That same day, the father cardinal decided his daughter should give a concert for their friends. The indolent girl was terrified, yet she dared not tell her parents that she couldn't sing. She thought of the mockingbird's lovely voice and decided to ask her for help.

The two birds asked Colote, the woodpecker, to bore a hole into the tree trunk where Col-pol-che would perch. Then the mockingbird would hide inside. While Col-pol-che pretended to be singing, the real voice would come from X-col within.

On the da of the concert, all the nobles, singers, artists and musicians among the birds came. Col-pol-che hopped out on a limb of the purple-flowering tree chosen by her father, bowed to the audience and opened her bill. The most exquisite voice ever heard in the Maya World came pouring out and echoed through the woods. The birds in the audience flapped their wings and cried for curtain call after curtain call.

The father, however, was not applauding. He had discovered the truth just before the concert began when he saw X-col crawl into the little hole. When the applause ended and the cardinal finished many bows, her father flew up beside her and asked for silence. He hopped over to the hole and called the mockingbird to come out.

The small, colorless bird was trembling with fright, but Col-pol-che's father gently led her to a perch in front of the entire audience. Then he explained that his daughter had tricked everyone, including him.

It was really this shy little 'nightingale' who sang the whole time, he announced.

The crowd went wild and demanded that X-col sing again. This time, outside and free of her fright, the mockingbird sang as never before and won every bird's heart. From that time on, all her descendants inherited her lovely voice, but the cardinals have never learned how to sing.

The moral of this legend is about ability, identity and the pursuit of dreams.

Gift to the Hummingbird

Tzunuum, the hummingbird, was created by the Great Spirit as a tiny, delicate bird with extraordinary flying ability. She was the only bird in the kingdom who could fly backwards and who could hover in one spot for several seconds. The hummingbird was very plain. Her feathers had no bright colors, yet she didn't mind. Tzunuum took pride in her flying skill and was happy with her life despite her looks.

When it came time to be married, Tzunuum found that she had neither a wedding gown nor a necklace. She was so disappointed and sad that some of her best friends decided to create a wedding dress and jewelry as a surprise.

Ya, the vermillion-crowned flycatcher wore a gay crimson ring of feathers around his throat in those days. He decided to use it as his gift. So he tucked a few red plumes in his crown and gave the rest to the hummingbird for her necklace. Uchilchil, the bluebird, generously donated several blue feathers for her gown. The vain motmot, not to be outdone, offerd more turquoise blue and emerald green. The cardinal, likewise, gave some red ones.

Then, Yuyum, the oriole, who was an excellent tailor as well as an engineer, sewed up all the plumage into an exquisite wedding gown for the little hummingbird. Ah-leum, the spider, crept up with a fragile web woven of shiny gossamer threads for her veil. She helped Mrs. Yuyum weave intricate designs into the dress. Canac, the honey bee, heard about the wedding and told all his friends who knew and liked the hummingbird. They brought much honey and nectar for the reception and hundreds of blossoms that were Tzunuum's favorites.

Then the azar tree dropped a carpet of petals over the ground where the ceremony would take place. She offered to let Tzunuum and her groom spend their honeymoon in her branches. Pakal, the orange tree, put out sweet-smelling blossoms, as did Nicte, the plumeria vine. Haaz (the banana bush), Op (the custard apple tree) and Pichi and Put (the guava and papaya bushes) made certain that their fruits were ripe so the wedding guests would find delicious refreshments. And, finally, a large band of butterflies in all colors arrived to dance and flutter gaily around the hummingbird's wedding site.

When the wedding day arrived, Tzunuum was so surprised, happy and grateful that she could barely twitter her vows. The Great Spirit so admired her humble, honest soul that he sent word down with his messenger, Cozumel, the swallow, that the hummingbird could wear her wedding gown for the rest of her life. And, to this day, she has.

How did the humility of one long-ago hummingbird cause its descendants to sport brilliant colors?

Legend says they were at first on loan from other birds.