The Hummingbird and the Carabao

The Hummingbird and the Carabao

One hot April morning, a great carabao was resting in the shade of a tree beside a broad river. The sun was already so fierce that even the leaves seemed unwilling to move. Carabao stood beneath the thick branches, slowly swishing his tail and enjoying every faint breath of wind. Suddenly, tiny wings began humming above his head. A little hummingbird settled on a slender branch. “Good morning, friend Carabao!” he called. “Good morning to you too, little Hummingbird,” said the carabao. “Hot today, isn't it?” “Very!” chirped Hummingbird. “I came to the river for a drink.” Carabao looked at the tiny bird and smiled. “A drink? One drop must last you all day.” “One drop?” Hummingbird tilted his head. “Would you like to make a wager that I can drink more water than you?” Carabao snorted with laughter. “You? More than me? Look at yourself, and then look at me!” “Size is not everything,” said Hummingbird. “Let us see. You drink first.” Carabao was certain he would win. He walked to the river, lowered his head, and began drinking. He drank for a long time. Then he lifted his head, took a breath, and drank some more. But the tide was rising. Carabao drank and drank, yet the river did not seem to shrink at all. In fact, the water crept higher along the bank. Hummingbird watched from his branch. “Well, friend,” he finally said, “the river hardly seems to have noticed.” Carabao took several more mouthfuls, then stepped away. “That is enough. I could not drink another drop. Your turn.” “With pleasure,” said Hummingbird. He flew down until his beak touched the surface. But he did not hurry. Hummingbird knew something Carabao had failed to notice. The rising tide was almost over, and soon the water would begin to retreat. The little bird kept his beak close to the river as if taking the tiniest sips. He waited. After a while, the water began moving away from the shore. At first only a little. Then more. Soon the river level had fallen enough for Carabao to notice. His eyes widened. “Are you really... drinking the river?” Hummingbird gave no answer. He continued touching his beak to the water with a very serious expression. The river kept receding. At last Hummingbird rose into the air. “Well, friend Carabao? Who drank more?” Carabao looked at the river. Then at the tiny bird. Then back at the river. He could not understand it. “It certainly looks as though you won,” he admitted. Hummingbird fluttered happily. “Sometimes being large and strong is not enough to win an argument. It helps to notice what is happening around you.” Carabao thought about this. He looked at the little bird differently now. “Very well, small friend,” he said. “You outsmarted me today. But next time, I will first check which way the water is moving.” Hummingbird laughed, rose high above the river, and flashed away into the bright sky. Carabao remained in the shade a while longer, resting after the contest and considering how small size did not necessarily mean small cleverness. From then on, whenever a tiny hummingbird darted above the river, Carabao remembered not to judge too quickly.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨