According to an old Native American Legend, there was a big fire in the forest. All the animals fled in terror in all directions.
We experience several fires close to our home in Southern California. It is a frightening experience. You never know which direction the wind will go, and if your neighborhood will be next. All you cando is pray, since you have no control. The island of Rhodes, Greece, had a big fire a few weeks ago. When we lived in Sweden, in the sixties, many residents would vacation in Rhodes. It seems like we have more fires around the world in recent years, than ever before. The fires in Maui this past week have been devastating. Lahaina, such a busy tourist place, looks like a war zone. What a tragedy. We have many memories there and beautiful pictures. I am sure it will take a long time to recover. I pray for the people who have lost their homes, pets and family members. All of these events reminded me of the story I came accross a while back.
The native American grandmothers would occasionally tell this story to their grandchildren.
In this forest, as the animals were running every each way to escape the fire, suddenly a jaguar saw a hummingbird over his head, going the opposite direction. The hummingbird flew towards the fire! Whatever happened he wouldn't stop.
Moments later, the jaguar saw him pass again, this time in the same direction as the jaguar was walking. He could observe this coming and going, over and over, until he decided to ask the bird about it, because it seemed such a bizzare behaviour.
"What are you doing hummingbird?" he asked.
"I am going to the lake," he answered. I drink water with my beak and throw it on the fire to extinguish it." The jaguar laughed. "Are you crazy? Do you really think that you can put out that big fire on your own with your very small beak?"
"No" said the hummingbird. "I know I can't. But the forest is my home. It feeds me, it shelters me and my family. I am very grateful for that. And, I help the forest grow by pollinating its flowers. I am part of the forest and the forest is part of me, I know I cannot put out the fire, but I must do my part."
At that moment, the forest spirits, who listened to the hummingbird, were moved by this birdie and its devotion to the forest. Miraculously they sent a torrential downpour, which put an end to the great fire.
So, the grandmothers would tell this story and always conclude with "Do you want to attract miracles in your life? Then, do your part." This may be a fable, but it is so true. We can all do our part, in our small universe, no matter what the problem may be. We don't have the responsibility to save the world, but we can make a difference with what we have. Maybe all you can do is pray, maybe donate money, give of your time, or if someone needs a listening ear, just listen, no need to give advise.
Remember the story about the boy who was picking up the starfish on the beach, and was throwing them into the ocean, and a man who saw him doing that said, why are you doing that? there are so many, you cannot throw them all back in, you canot make that much difference..then the young boy picked up another one and threw it and said "It made a difference to that one." We can all make a difference, if we all do our part, and see miracles happen!
Have a blessed week!
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