The story of the hummingbird is a popular fable that has been shared for many years across many cultures. It has an important message about doing your part to make a positive difference, no matter how small your contribution may seem. This article will explore the origins and evolution of the hummingbird story over time.
The Story of the Hummingbird
Here is a common version of the story:
One day, there was a huge forest fire. All the animals were fleeing in terror as the fire raged stronger and stronger. As they ran, a tiny hummingbird was flying in the opposite direction.
The animals shouted, “Little hummingbird, escape! Fly away from the fire!”
The hummingbird replied, “I’m doing everything I can to stop the fire!” As the hummingbird spoke, he flew to a nearby stream, got a small drop of water in his beak, and rushed back to drop it on the raging fire. He repeated this over and over again without rest.
The animals watched in disbelief. They told him, “Hummingbird, the fire is too strong. Your tiny drops of water won’t help put out this terrible fire!”
The hummingbird turned back and said, “I know, but I’m doing the best I can.”
Key Message
The moral of this story is that even if your own contribution seems very small, every little bit helps. If each animal had been willing to do their small part like the tiny hummingbird, the fire would have been extinguished. The hummingbird demonstrates the power of perseverance and determination to keep trying, regardless of the difficulty.
History and Origins
Ancient References
The concept of the determined hummingbird putting out a fire with tiny drops of water has existed in fables and folklore for hundreds of years.
One of the earliest references comes from ancient Chinese philosophy. In a text from the 4th century BC, philosopher Zhuang Zhou wrote: “A bird cried in the midst of a forest fire. Another bird wondered how he dared even one cry. Said the first, ‘I do the best I can.'” This shows an early version of the idea that each small act matters.
Native American Storytelling
Many Native American tribes shared fables with themes of cooperation, interdependence, and doing your part for the community. While the exact story of the hummingbird is unlikely to have originated with Native Americans, similar stories emphasizing humility, courage, and persistence existed in oral storytelling traditions.
South American Rainforest Communities
The hummingbird putting out a fire appears frequently in the mythology of indigenous communities living in and around the Amazon rainforest in South America.
For instance, the Piaroa people of Venezuela tell of a hummingbird who bravely squirted water on a raging fire while other animals fled. This is one of the earliest examples of the story resembling the modern fable. The species of hummingbird is significant, as over 140 types are native to the Amazon.
Modern Variations
In the past 50 years, the story of the hummingbird gained widespread popularity in environmentalist and activist circles. It became a motivational parable emphasizing how every small action can make an impact.
Early Environmentalism
In the 1960s and 1970s, as the modern environmental movement grew, the hummingbird fable was shared frequently in activist spaces. It embodied the ethos that every individual must take responsibility to create change.
| Year | Publication Referencing Hummingbird Story |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Whole Earth Catalog |
| 1977 | Not Man Apart magazine |
| 1978 | The Voice of the Mother by Theodore Roszak |
Wangari Maathai
In the late 20th century, the hummingbird story became strongly associated with Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai. She often ended speeches telling the fable and emphasizing the hummingbird’s spirit and commitment.
Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for founding the Green Belt Movement. This organization encouraged community-based forest conservation, planting over 51 million trees in Africa.
Wide Appeal
The hummingbird parable continued spreading in popular books and speeches about social change. By the 1990s and 2000s, it was referenced frequently across many fields:
- Education and child development
- Spirituality and religion
- Business leadership
- Social justice activism
The tale resonated with a wide range of audiences and contexts. It highlights how each individual’s small contribution adds up to large-scale transformation.
Origins of the Modern Story
While the theme of a tiny hummingbird bravely fighting a fire is ancient, the full modern parable likely originated in South America in the mid-late 20th century.
Brazilian Novel
In 1978, the Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado published his famous novel Home is the Sailor. It includes a hummingbird story very similar to the modern fable. This suggests Amado may have compiled existing oral traditions into the version that is now well-known.
Translation to English
Credit often goes to environmental activist Grace Werden for popularizing the story in English. Werden lived in Brazil in the 1970s and heard the tale there.
When she returned to the United States, she began sharing the story orally at events and conferences. Over time, it spread through activist and community networks to become globally recognized.
The Hummingbird in Culture
Beyond its environmental message, the hummingbird has significance in many world cultures.
Native American Symbols
– In Aztec culture, a hummingbird represents lightness of spirit and joy
– For Anasazi tribes, the hummingbird is a messenger who bridges worlds
– Cherokee legends say hummingbirds are healers and spread comfort
Ancient Meanings
– Ancient Greeks saw hummingbirds as messengers from the afterlife, able to travel between worlds
– Some East Asian cultures believe hummingbirds are reincarnations of warriors or noble fighters
– Pre-Columbian Peruvian culture depicted hummingbirds in art as mother-figures and fertility
Spiritual Symbolism
– In Hinduism and Buddhism, the hummingbird may represent purity, spiritual nourishment, and industriousness
– Christianity at times uses the hummingbird to represent the Holy Spirit based on its ability to hover and fly in any direction
– Across faiths, the hummingbird can exemplify qualities like courage, determination, and dedication to service
The Enduring Message
While the exact origins are uncertain, the hummingbird parable has endured across cultures because of its inspirational message. At a time when global problems seem overwhelming, the tiny hummingbird reminds us that every small action makes a difference. Its determined spirit empowers us to believe that together, many small acts of courage and compassion can heal and renew the world. Whenever we feel powerless or despairing, the hummingbird’s wisdom whispers: “I’m doing the best I can.”
