The Hummingbird and the Raptor

A news item echoes through England and nearby countries about a Rueppell’s Griffon Vulture that escaped from its captive home at the World of Wings. This massive bird, with a wingspan of over 10 feet, has been recorded flighting as high as 36,000 feet. While I can image what it would be like to fly, I cannot imagine flying so high.

Our best to the Rueppell’s griffon vulture named Gandalf, with wishes that this 7 year old vulture makes it home to the safety of World of Wings, where the diminishing population of this bird is brought into the spotlight.

The Hummingbird and the Raptor

This news story, and the focus on this amazing bird’s ability to fly to great heights reminds me of the story of the hummingbird and the raptor, talking one day of their own abilities to fly so high. Both boasted of achieving great heights, stating they could touch the sun. After great debate as to who was the mightiest it was decided that they would have a contest and prove once and for all who was the greatest.

On the day of the event the hummingbird was nowhere to be seen. The raptor still chose to take flight, showing its own ability to reach great heights. With great force the raptor spread its wings and took flight, lifting high above the ground. With every stroke of its wings the raptor soared higher, far higher than any could imagine. Eventually the raptor lost momentum, tired from such hard work. Suddenly out of the neck feathers of the raptor came the hummingbird, grateful for the ride the raptor had given, and the hummingbird continued on the flight, reaching heights far beyond what the raptor had achieved.

This old-world story, like so many others, was often used as a means to discuss certain morals, virtues, or  choices made in life. Is the hummingbird right for its ingenuity, or at fault for using the power of the raptor to its own advantage? Let’s look at this from a different perspective:

There are many great singers in this world, and I smile as I hear in the background behind my typing the song “Many the Miles” – strongly connected to the same idea of achievement and dedication to a great cause. This randomly playing song just happened to appear on my Pandora playlist as I began to type my thoughts. Delightful!

There are so many great singers, producing songs that use the same notes that have been used since the beginning of time. They are accompanied by instruments invented by others, oftentimes singing words someone else wrote. Yet their songs are amazing, lifting our spirits in times when so many other parts of life seem to leave us dry. These artists build upon what already exists, yet bring it to the world in a unique, renewed way.

We can all take the story of the hummingbird and raptor, and carry those thoughts into our life. Whether we coast on the wings of others, or are the driving force that carries others far along in their journey we can always give our best, and share the many benefits that come from our efforts.

The Hummingbird and the Raptor © 2010 Hummingbirdshaman.com. Author Estee Taschereau, Spiritual counselor and consultant, and creator of HummingbirdShaman.com offers unique, individual sessions for recognizing your own abilities, helping you to soar to your own greatest heights.