A Little Hummingbird Is Lost

Written and illustrated by Yendry Rojas Zúñiga

Welcome to Poás Volcano

It is a cloudy morning at some place in Alajuela. Meli Hummingbird stands in a

Copey tree, she is really sad because she was taken from her nest and then left in an

unknown forest.

Meli flies to another big Copey tree to find the way to get home, but the only thing

she sees is a sign with a weird statement for her, it says: “Welcome to Poás Volcano”.

I don´t remember the volcano name where

my family lives – Meli Hummingbird thinks- I only

know that my father once said that our volcano is

the highest one in the country.

I will never find my home – rapidly Meli

gives up- I´ll have to stay here because I have no

idea where my volcano is, maybe it is too far and

it is impossible for me to fly by myself, it can be

dangerous.

The lost little bird feels she cannot continue

anymore and decided to stay in that tree with no

idea about what to do.

Then, Meli remembered what her mother

always says: “Hummingbirds are courageous

birds and face any situation with the best

attitude”.

Suddenly, Ms Quetzal stands next to her and asks – What are

you doing here little bird? You must be lost. Yes Ms Quetzal – Meli

answers – I´m looking for my family, they are the most beautiful birds

and live near the highest volcano.

Then, Ms Quetzal adds – I´m afraid I don´t know

your parents because we, Quetzal family, are the

most beautiful birds. And this volcano, as you can

see, is the most wonderful one; the acid rain has

made many trees and animals disappear, but it is still

really attractive and magnificent. However, this is not

the highest volcano. I´m sorry, I can´t help you – And

Ms Quetzal quickly went away flying.

At that time, Meli Hummingbird realizes she has

to continue looking for home.

Welcome to Poás Volcano

Mommy is right – Meli thinks – if I´m lost, I´m capable enough to find my way

home. I´m sure that soon, I´ll be with my lovely family again. I can ask someone to

give me some information to get to my volcano.

And after flying for hours, she gets to a high volcano with a terrific lake

and many trees where several birds live. Thus, Meli flies to a Níspero tree where

she can descry Mr Parakeet, he is really concentrated looking at the pleasing

paradise. Excuse me Mr Parakeet – Meli Hummingbird interrupts – Is this

the highest volcano? Do you know family? They are the most

beautiful birds.

Many questions from an inquisitive little bird – Mr

Parakeet replies looking disinterested – First of all, this is the

Arenal Volcano, we are in San Carlos and… - Doubtfully, Mr

Parakeet stops – this is not the highest volcano, this is the

youngest and most wonderful one.

And, by the way – he continues – we, Parakeet

family, are the most beautiful birds. – And without

giving Meli Hummingbird chance to say something, he

argues he is in the enjoying nature time and cannot

help her anymore.

This attitude makes the unlucky little bird decides

to keep flying to a different place.

Welcome to Arenal

Volcano

Welcome to Rincón de la

Vieja Volcano

After a tiring and long trip, as the night falls, Meli stands in a Guanacaste tree

and quickly falls asleep. Next, in the morning, the little hummingbird hears a bird

flying around the enormous Guanacaste tree. And, unexpectedly, a flamboyant

Toucan shows up and immediately says – Welcome to our Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

in Guanacaste; as you can appreciate, this volcano has several craters and peaks,

many great trees and friendly animals... – Meli interrupts – Is this the highest

volcano?

I´m aware you´re not a visitor – Ms Toucan says – you´re lost. Poor little bird!

Where is your house? How can I help you? – Those many questions make Meli

remember what Mr Parakeet said about many questions from an inquisitive little or

big bird. And taking advantage of that kindness, Meli asks again – Is this the highest

volcano? Do you know my family? They are the most beautiful birds.

And with a mocking laugh, Ms Toucan answers – I´m sorry, this is not the

highest volcano, this is the most delightful one you can visit and… - Shaking her

colorful beak, she adds – we, Tucan family, are the most beautiful birds.

Consequently, Meli

hummingbird understood that many

questions and many answers

sometimes mean time to leave. And,

saying thanks and good bye, she got

away flying.

Welcome to Turrialba Volcano

The unfortunate little hummingbird feels really tired and

depressed because finding her family is becoming harder and

almost impossible, nobody knows about her volcano. And giving

her best effort, Meli finally gets to another place, she can see a

three-crater volcano; but she is still unsecure if that is the volcano

she is looking for. At that moment, she

perceives a big bird eating something at the

top of an Encino tree; it is Mr Hawk tasting a

delicious piece of meat. Meli Hummingbird

carefully gets closer and asks – Is this the

highest volcano? Do you know my family?

They are the most beautiful birds.

Saucy little bird – Mr Hawk responds

angrily – This is Turrialba volcano in Cartago,

the place you should leave now, in case you

want to keep safe. I don´t like little birds or… I

like them too much – while he shows his sharp

claws. With this, the frightened little bird

clearly comprehended the message and

decided to fly away as fast as possible.

Welcome to Irazú Volcano

And as Meli is going to safer place, she cannot

understand why Mr Hawk is so angry and embittered in an

awesome place like Turrialba Volcano.

After, the bewildered little bird flies a couple of minutes

more and gets to the most amazing place she had ever seen,

she notices she is still in Cartago. Meli sees several trees and

a high volcano with five craters; now she is sure that it is the

highest volcano she has been looking for.

In fact, Meli is right; she has arrived to

Irazú volcano, the highest one in Costa Rica.

Even though, there are not many animals in

the area, it is the perfect place for Meli

Hummingbird. She was able to fly for hours

and finally could get home

Then, Meli recognizes a gorgeous Jaul tree and she fast flies to stand in one

of its branches as the time she realizes that incredibly she is finally at home. But

the tears are about to come out of her eyes because neither Daddy nor Mommy

Hummingbird are there. – They must have left, they didn´t wait for me – Even

sadder, Meli says.The tears cloud Meli´s vision, but she can descry

to little birds who are getting closer, and seeing

better, they look like the most beautiful birds. In fact,

they are Daddy and Mommy Hummingbird who,

extremely happy to have their baby back; welcome

Meli with a delicious fruit meal and a warm nest.

The blessed little hummingbird is now joyful to

be with her beautiful family again and in the most

enjoyable and highest volcano.

And this is the ever told story of a brave little

hummingbird who had unforgettable experiences in

some of the most amazing volcanoes.

Welcome to Irazú Volcano