Theme: Envy

The Hummingbird and the Lizard

	It was already afternoon and the lizard stretched out in the sun, by the lake, as he liked to do. He
stood there quietly, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin.

He stayed there for almost half an hour, when, suddenly, he saw the hummingbird that passed by from time to time.

Within seconds, the hummingbird arrived and visited all the flowers around the lake. Then he flew a little more around and was gone, as quickly as he arrived.

The lizard always watched him and envied his ability to fly. The hummingbird was very agile and precise, flapping its wings so quickly that they could barely be seen.

Sometimes, during the flight, the hummingbird would stop in the air for a few moments. The lizard thought that was incredible. How he would like to fly, see things from above, see distant places...

The lizard considered the hummingbird to be a special animal, privileged by nature.

One day, the hummingbird, passing by the lake, landed on a branch next to the lizard and said politely:

- Good afternoon!

- Good afternoon - replied the lizard, surprised, not believing that the hummingbird was talking to him.

- Are you waiting for someone? Asked the lizard, not understanding why the bird was there.

- No, I'm just getting some rest! There are few flowers at this time of the year, and I have flown a lot looking for food in them.

The lizard did not understand very well, as he saw some flowers nearby and thought that even though they were few, they would be enough to feed a small bird.

- Are you resting too? Have you eaten well? - Asked the hummingbird.

- I'm sun bathing. You know, it's good for health.

- Yes, but I'm going - said the hummingbird, agitated. - I'm getting hungry, I need to find more flowers. Will you stay longer?

- Yes, I will, I ate yesterday, and today the sun is great.

The hummingbird did not understand. He thought the lizard had made a joke.

- Have you ever imagined how good it would be? - Said the hummingbird, laughing - Eat one day and rest the next! It would be like living in paradise!

The lizard then realized that they were different not only in the way they got around, and clarified:

- Well, actually, if I eat well in one day, I can be two days without eating again.

- What? - Asked the hummingbird, admired - I don’t believe! So that's why I always see you here, resting. Look, my friend, thank God for the good life you have. I wish I could to be like you!

The lizard had no idea that the hummingbird had to eat several times an hour, and that in one day the bird ate the equivalent of more than six times its own weight. The hummingbird's life, all the time, was looking for food.

- But you fly like no one else! - argued the lizard.

- Of course, I have to go far to earn my living. And by the way, I'll be going. Nice to meet you, lizard!

The hummingbird flew and was gone. And the lizard stayed, as always. But this time, more thoughtful...

Several times the lizard watched the hummingbird's magnificent flight again and never stopped admiring it. But he never felt jealous again. He realized that each one has its facilities and its difficulties as well.

God, who is good and fair, gives his children exactly what they need to live the experiences planned for each one. And the lizard learned that lesson.
 

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com