The Bird And The
Hippo
A little bird
that was always
benefiting from
a large
hippopotamus as
she fed on the
insects that
rested on his
thick skin, one
day thought it
was strange to
see him lying on
the ground,
motionless. She
came closer,
flapping her
wings in the air
and thinking:
|
- What happened
to that hippo?
There must be
something really
wrong with him
because not
|
even insects are
landing on his skin!... |
Now worried, the little bird stayed there, taking care
of the huge animal that did not move and did not open
his eyes.
So the little bird stayed close by, watching the
hippopotamus. Not once did he move! Full of pity for the
one who had served her for so long, and who now seemed
dead, the little bird noticing his mouth was open, had
an idea: she decided to feed him.
Since she had always benefited from him, she now wanted
to help him. So she searched around the jungle for food
that she could feed him and began to bring it all with
great difficulty because they were heavy. But she knew
they would be good for her huge friend.
So she brought him what she found around and put it in
the animal’s mouth, who, when tasting the food, would
chew it up and thus gradually gain strength again.
Satisfied, the little bird returned to the
forest in search of more food for her
hippopotamus friend. |
|
At the
end of the day she was exhausted but glad to have been
able to help the one who had always been her biggest
source of insects. She also knew that he needed water so
she plunged into a creek and then flying close to him
she flapped her wings to throw drops of water in his
mouth, which cooled him down and helped him to regain
his strength.
Soon the hippopotamus felt better. Opening his eyes, he
could see who was helping him. Then he asked:
- Little bird, why are you helping me? Thank you, but
I'm big and heavy. Everybody runs away from me, but not
you! ... Are not you afraid?
Then, flapping her wings, she said:
- It’s just that I need you because I feed on the
insects that are on your skin. Without them, I would
die!...
And the hippo, looking at the beautiful little bird,
murmured:
- You saved my life, little bird! I am so grateful to
you for having helped me so much. Thank you! This way,
we help each other! I want to be your friend forever.
And the little bird chirped:
- Me too, my hippopotamus friend. Friends, then?
- Yes! And we'll help each other, won’t we?
- Yes, my good friend. I really like you and together we
will be stronger.
So the little bird landed on the thick skin of the
hippopotamus, massaging his back, and he, reaching with
his huge nose the beak of the little bird, said:
- So, let's be friends forever?
- Yes! We will both help each other and our friendship
will only grow!
The little bird kissed the hippopotamus who in turn
touched her feathers with his huge mouth.
From that day on, all the animals that passed by them
found it strange to see a beautiful bird riding on the
back of the huge hippopotamus while talking with him.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Célia Xavier
de Camargo on
22/05/2017.)
Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com