Have you heard of Wangari Maathai? In 2004 Ms. Maathai was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for her work founding the Green Belt Movement, which enlists villagers, and especially women, to improve their local environment. They are responsible for planting over 20 million trees! I first found out about her in an article a few years ago by Gregory M. Lamb, staff writer for the Christian Science Monitor.
Here’s a story from the article that I thought you might enjoy:
On a visit to Japan, Wangari Maathai learned the story of the hummingbird and the forest fire. While the other animals run in fear or hang their heads in despair, the hummingbird flies above the fire time and again, releasing a few drops of water from its tiny beak.
“Why do you bother?” the other animals shout at the hummingbird.
“I’m doing the best that I can,” the hummingbird replies.
“It’s such a beautiful story,” Ms. Maathai says, thinking of the immensity of the world’s environmental problems. “There is always something we can do with our little beak like the little hummingbird.”
She’s concluded that people’s values are what motivate them. If the values are good ones, good actions will follow. Hence it’s importance for people to tap their spiritual traditions for guidance in caring for the environment, she says.
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The hummingbirds are gone right now from our home in the mountains of North Carolina. They will show up again in the Spring and keep me entertained and amazed until Fall. Perhaps they are off fighting forest fires while I await their return. In the meantime, I share this powerful little story. Do you think there is always something we can do with our “little beak like the little hummingbird” as Ms. Maathia says? If so, I’d love to hear from you.
My wife and I love hummingbirds (God’s helicopters, I like to call them), and have a hummingbird feeder on the window of our house. We love to watch them come by for a “drink.”
I wanted to “share” my response, but it wouldn’t accept my email address, and if I have a “Password” I don’t know it. Anyway, I love Ms. Maathai’s story and would gladly be a worker villager in her Green Belt Movement. The saying “Bloom where you’re planted” comes to mind. And delightfully, in her bright yellow garb, she looks like a hummingbird herself.
Hi John,
I like the idea of “God’s helicopters.” Since you live on the West Coast, do you have them year round? Hard to imagine here in the East.
Hi Jeanette,
Sorry you had trouble sharing. I posted your comment for you and usually do that for email subscribers who respond to the email. She does look like a hummingbird, doesn’t she? So colorful. Or perhaps she looks like a flower that a hummingbird would love! Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, we do have them year-round. I’m looking at one in my front window right now. My wife is very good about keeping them fed. Back when I had a cat they were her entertainment–watching the hummingbirds through the front window. “Birdy TV” we called it.
Susan, this is such a beautiful story….it reminds me that our seemingly smallest talents and gifts are immeasurable in the very large picture…thank you for sharing!!!
Beautifully said, Diana. I’m glad you liked it. xo