Long ago,many different gods ruled over Yucatan, a region in southern Mexico.some were wise and good.others were spiteful and unkind.
One of the wisest and most loved wasCharac,lord of the
fields and crops.
On a bright spring morning Charac called all the
birds to a meeting in the woods.''as you know''the
god said,;the time for planting is at hand.will any of you help me to prepare the fields as you have in other seasons ?
from the trees came many sounds,among them the gentle sound of a dove,the harsh squawk of the eagle.they agreed to help,each in his own way.
After the birds became quiet,the owl,the counsellor of the birds asked in his dignified way,"When shall we start our work.god Chaac?''
''tomorrow at sunrise,"the god answered."But you must work quickly,for at midday the fire god will come to burn off the old plants."
Before Chaac had finished speaking,the
cuckoo fluttered from
Bird to bird.Her bright yellow eyes and plumage of rainbow colors caused many to look at her in admiration.
''What must we do?"she called loudly.''will someone please tell me?I cannot remember what i did last season."
The
owl was was ashamed of the cuckoo''s bad manners.
"You cannot remember because you never came to help us.But this season we expect you to do your share.''
"She hides because she is afraid of fire,"screeched the parrot.
The cuckoo became quiet.The
parrot had spoken the truth.Fire did frighten her,although she was sure the parrot spoke against her because he envied her gray feathers and beautiful song.many said she sang as well as the skylark and the nightingale.Chaac smiled, and raised his hand for silence."I am certain each of you will do your part.The task is simple.
Each bird will collect its favourite seeds,along with many grains of corn.These are to be piled near the woods,so they can be planted when the fields are ready,"
Long before the sun came peeking over the land, the owl who spent the night on a treestump in the woods was awakened by cracking noises.He flew quickly to a tall tree and,just as he had suspected,there were fires nearby.In the distance,he saw the fire god scampering from field to field,seting everything ablaze with his great torch.
"This is another of the fire god''s spiteful tricks,"thought the owl,as he winged his way through the woods to arouse the other birds.''Quick "Fly to the fields''
Over and over he called.when the bird and god Chaac reached the scene,they could not believe their eyes.There was one lone bird flying back and forth through the flames.
"Surely it must be a heavenly bird,"they chorused,"for no earthly bird is endowed with the courage and strength to bring out seeds from such a fiery place.''
''It has smoke coloured feathers,''observed the owl.
''No the feathers are coloured gray from the smoke,"answered god Chaac.
"It is the cuckoo" the birds cried."The brave cuckoo"
The voice of the parrot was louder than any of the others.
All the birds gathered around her in wonderment,for she had saved the seed that would furnish food in the winter ahead.
The owl spoke in his wise,kindly way;"Dear Cuckoo,as a token of our love,we wish to grant you and all cuckoos an everlasting reward.From this day on,other birds will care for your children and your children''s children down through the ages."
So that is how the cuckoo got her gray feathers and fame coloured eyes,and why she puts her eggs into the nests of other birds who will raise her young.
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