The Origin of the Birds

Long ago there was a bird.  Her name was unknown.  She lived on a savanna and had many children.  Soon it became hard to find enough for all her children to eat, so she gathered them together.

“Come, my children,” she said.  “It is best we look for another country where there is sufficient food.”

She gathered all her children into her feathers, and when all were holding tight, she took to the sky.  She flew on and on until the children clutching her feathers began to get tired.

Then the hummingbird saw many red blossoms and let go of the feathers, saying, “I shall remain here.”

The others held on, and the mother kept flying.

Then the weaverbird saw bran and said, “This is where I’ll stay.” The others held on, and the mother kept flying.

Then the pigeon saw millet, the secretary bird saw a termite, and the water bird saw a place full of reeds.  The wild goose, and then the crane, also left.  One by one, each child left his mother.  Eventually, each had found his place and none were left to cling to the mother’s feathers.

At once, no longer heavy with her children’s weight, the mother flew high into the sky.  This bird is now named Eagle Who Announces the Drought.

So now you know where all the birds come from.

                                                                                                                                      - L.R.