The Hummingbird Story

Those of us who truly believe that Together We Can Change The World know that every little effort can have huge positive effects. Like a snowball rolling down the hill, our positive act becomes larger and larger and larger.

Most of the time, we want our good works to be the catalyst for positive change. Sometimes, though, the result is not exactly what we anticipate.

Here’s a story about not giving up hope, as it is frequently told by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai from Kenya.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, and maybe not even so far away from where you live now, there lived many animals in a deep, green forest. And they lived in relative harmony, except when one animal was eaten by another animal as sometimes happens in a deep, green forest. But that was appreciated as the story of life and death. And the continuation of life. And in the cycle of things, as they are and as they are meant to be, there was equanimity and peace...

Until one day, a fire raged and raged in the deep, green forest. And all the animals gave chase or took flight to try and save themselves from the inferno. While running away they felt huge despair at the thought of what they were leaving behind... their only home.

When they reached a safe distance some of the animals stopped to look at the raging fire, and noticed a small spot of red in the blue sky, circling back and forth, from a clear, cool lake to the blazing, burning forest... What was it? It was the red-throated hummingbird. And in her beak she ferried a few small drops of water to try to stop the fire. She flew back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth again.

The animals below looked up in amazement. The lion looked up, the elephant, the badger and the bear. They all looked up at the red-throated hummingbird in disbelief.

And the lion roared: "Red-throated hummingbird, what do you think YOU are doing up there with your one drop of water?"

Undeterred by the impossibility of it all, the little hummingbird said: "I am doing what I can."

The Hummingbird Story means NEVER GIVE UP. Any effort to help is an effort worth making. Your work might not solve the problem, but you will inspire others with hope, which is sometimes the best gift of all.

As we plan our projects for the next Together We Can Change The World Day, think about that little hummingbird carrying its precious drops of water, and imagine of all the ways in which we can help change the world by setting an example to others.