King of the Birds!

Recently, I created felt, bird headdresses for volunteer performers to wear while I narrate a story in front of a live audience. The story is an adaptation of a folktale from the Mayan of Southern Mexico & Guatamala. It tells how the Quetzal Bird became King of all the birds.

In the story, we find the birds needing to choose one bird to be their king. Mockingbird (above) wanted to be king, but was considered too small and plain looking, despite possessing a beautiful voice, and the ability to speak in many bird languages. 

Red Macaw (above) next wanted to be king. Red Macaw was indeed impressive to behold, very regal looking with bright, red feathers. But, his voice -YIKES! No one could bear to hear him talk for long, so he too was deemed not suitable to be king of the birds. I mean, who would want to hear him give the annual State of the Birds address?

 



Next was Turkey (above) who wanted to be king. Now Turkey was large and strong. He would be a great warrior king for the birds. But, the birds knew he would keep them constantly at war, and they did not want to always have war. Plus, he was rather ugly with his face so scarred and battle weary from all the fighting he had done in his life.



Many, many birds came forward wanting to be king, but none were considered suitable for the job. Standing off on the side lines watching it all was Quetzal. Queztal was a very intelligent bird, known for giving good counsel to his fellow bird friends. He possessed a fine voice and flew through the air with dignified grace. When he perched upon the branches, he did so with poise and good posture. He had so many of the qualities needed for being king of the birds - save one! On the day that the feathers had been handed out to all the birds, he had arrived late. Why? Sadly, we do not know. Normally, he was a prompt and punctual bird. But, on this day he had arrived late. There had only been a few measly, pitiful feathers left for him to wear. Thus it was..that he was...well...rather nude, save for a few feathers here and there for the sake of flight and modesty. He knew that his appearance would keep him from being king. Oh but, he was clever, that Queztal!

 

He looked around him and spotted Roadrunner. Roadrunner had the most magnificent feathers in red, green, yellow and blue. Roadrunner was not the brightest of birds. He possessed, unfortunately, a birdbrain to be truthful. Queztal approached him and offered him a deal.

 

"If you lend me your feathers, I am sure I will be chosen King of the Birds." said Queztal. "Once I am king, I will give your feathers back to you. As a thank you from me to you for the loan of the feathers, I will share the leadership you. We can be rulers together. Boss of all the birds! Deal?"

 

Well, that birdbrained Roadrunner didn't even think twice, let alone once before he agreed to lend Queztal his feathers. He simply knew that it would be good to be a King. Quickly he plucked his feathers out, POING, POING, POING! Ouchy.

 

Queztal put the feathers on and he was TRANSFORMED! The feathers looked far better on him, than they had on Roadrunner. Queztal went before all the birds and asked to be chosen their king.

 

They oohed and aahed over his appearance, they oohed and aahed over his regal poise, they oohed and aahed over his beautiful voice. They tweeted and twittered each other, and quickly it was agreed that Queztal should be their king. BRAVO! BRAVO! They all sang out from the trees. 



 

 



Behold the King of the Birds! Long live Queztal!  Bravo! Bravo!





 Right away Queztal became immersed in the affairs of the birds. Being king was hard work. He forgot about his promise to Roadrunner about sharing king duties. He forgot about returning his feathers! I will say he forgot...to be nice.

Weeks passed. The birds began to ask each other if they had seen Roadrunner. Where was he? They began looking for him. Finally, Dove spotted Roadrunner hiding behind a coffee bush naked as could be. He was so embarrassed to be without his feathers you see, and had been in hiding. The birds felt sorry for him. It was kind hearted Dove who suggested they each give Roadrunner a feather, so he wouldn't be naked anymore. Then at least he could come out of hiding.

The birds then did give him a feather, not one of their favorate, colorful ones though. Thus it was, Roadrunner (above) ended up with an odd assortment of brown & beige feathers in various sizes. Bluebird was the only one who gave him feathers in another color; two blue ones. One for beside each eye.

After all these years, Queztal has never given Roadrunner back his feathers. He grew used to them you see, and forgot that he had ever borrowed them. Roadrunner has never forgotten! NO sirree!!! To this day, Roadrunner is still running up and down roads everywhere. He calls out, "Puhuy! Puhuy!" He is saying, "Where is he? Where is he?" in his old Mayan language.

(The story above is my retelling of an adaptation of a Mayan folktale.)