Season 3, episode 12
Zunzuncito is reaching the end of his journey. He crossed the grand lake, passed through the land of giants, and arrived at the valley of snails. Now he just needs to suck the nectar and he will be big. Because being big will make him happy, right?
Chapter 12: Zunzuncito’s Wish
Zunzuncito started this adventure in a valley of flowers. He was sucking the nectar from pretty flowers in many colors. But other bigger hummingbirds and mean bees caused him problems.
Later he was trapped in a spiderweb, but a small frog freed him. The frog was Monty and now Monty is his best friend. Monty told him about a magic flower and Zunzuncito decided to look for it.
To find the magic flower, first he talked to an enormous snake: the Cuban boa Majá. Majá said that he had to cross the great lake, pass through the land of giants, and arrive in the valley of snails.
So Zunzuncito and Monty crossed the great lake, passed through the land of giants, and, finally, arrived in the valley of snails. It wasn’t easy and there were a lot of problems along the way, but none of that matters now because Zunzuncito is close to the magic flower and his wish to be big.
Zunzuncito is very excited. He is in the Valley of Snails! He is close to the magic flower! Now he just needs to find the flower and speak to its protector.
Zunzuncito flies up in the air and looks for the flower. He looks for a magic flower. But he doesn’t see magic flowers, he just sees normal flowers. Where is the magic flower? He decides to talk to the snails. He sees a snail with a yellow and orange shell under a green plant. The snail’s shell is brightly colored and very pretty.
“Hello, Mr. Snail,” Zunzuncito says to the yellow snail. The snail looks at Zunzuncito.
“I am not a mister,” the snail says.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Hello, Mrs. Snail,” Zunzuncito says.
“I am not a missus,” the snail says.
“Oh! I’m sorry. So, what are you?” Zunzuncito asks.
“I am just a polymita picta. My friends call me Polly,” the snail explains.
“Nice to meet you Polly. I am Monty and the little bird is Zunzuncito,” Monty says.
“We are looking for the magic flower. Do you know where it is? Zunzuncito asks.
“Yes,” Polly says. “Why are you looking for the magic flower?”
“Well, I want to make a wish to be big. I don’t like being small,” Zunzuncito responds.
Polly looks intensely at Zunzuncito. Polly is bigger than Monty, but smaller than Zunzuncito. Polly’s shell is only two centimeters long. After a pause, Polly moves. Polly moves down to the ground with Monty.
“I will take you to the flower,” Polly says.
Zunzuncito is super excited. He is so close to the magic flower! He is going to suck the nectar from the flower and be big! Zunzuncito moves his wings quickly and flies. But there is a problem. Polly does not move quickly. Polly moves very slowly.
“Is it possible to go more quickly?” Zunzuncito asks impatiently.
“No,” Polly responds. Polly moves slowly on the ground. Monty hops on the ground. Zunzuncito decides to walk on the ground with his friends.
“Why do you want to be big?” Polly asks Zunzuncito.
“Because I don’t want to be small. I have problems with other birds. I have problems with insects. I have problems with spiders. I have problems with fish. A big bird doesn’t have problems, so I want to be big,” Zunzuncito explains.
“I like being small,” Monty announces. Zunzuncito looks at his friend with surprise.
“Me too,” Polly says. “I like to see the colors in flower petals. I like to see the intricate designs on the shells of my snail friends. I like to move calmly. I like being small.
Zunzuncito thinks about Polly’s words. There are benefits of being small. He thinks about his escape from the serpent Majá. He thinks about freeing the animals in the cages. He thinks about all of the pretty snails. A big bird wouldn’t have been able to escape from Majá’s grasp. A big bird wouldn’t have been able to free the animals in the land of giants. A big bird wouldn’t be able to see the beautiful shells of the painted snails.
After hours of walking, Zunzuncito sees a red light. In the middle of the red light there is the most beautiful flower Zunzuncito has ever seen. It is obvious that it contains the sweetest of all nectars. It is the magic flower!
A blue, red, and white bird flies in front of the flower. It is a tocororo and it is obviously the protector of the magic flower.
“What do you want?” the bird asks the three small animals.
“Great Tocororo, protector of the magic flower, I have crossed the great lake, passed through the land of giants, and arrived at the valley of snails so I could find the magic flower and drink its sweet nectar that my wish may be granted,” Zunzuncito announces.
Tocororo looks intensely at Zunzuncito. The tiny hummingbird is nervous. After a few minutes, Tocororo speaks.
“You have come far. What is your wish?”
Zunzuncito knows what his wish is. His wish is to be big. He wants to be a big bird. He wants to be big so he won’t have problems. He looks over at his little friends. He doesn’t want to be small, he wants to be big, right? Zunzuncito isn’t sure anymore. Does he want to be big?
“What is your wish?” Tocororo repeats.
“I….um, I…” Zunzuncito looks at Monty and Polly. They are small, but they are happy. Zunzuncito thinks about all the things he can do and see because he is small.
“Yes?” Tocororo asks patiently.
“I want to be happy with myself, just the way I am,” Zunzuncito exclaims.
Tocororo examines Zunzuncito for a moment. He decides that Zunzuncito’s wish is honorable and says, “You may drink the nectar from the flower.”
Zunzuncito moves his wings and flies to the magic flower. Monty, Polly, and Tocororo watch while Zunzuncito sucks the nectar. It is the sweetest nectar of any he has ever tasted.
After drinking the nectar, Zunzuncito doesn’t feel any different. He looks at his little body and thinks about his adventure. He thinks about the benefits of being small. Zunzuncito is the smallest bird in the world, but he decides that being small isn’t bad, being small is unique. Zunzuncito is a unique and exceptional bird.
Zunzuncito, the small, unique and exceptional hummingbird, looks at his friends. Then he looks at the flowers and mountains of Cuba and feels completely happy.
The End.
You can also watch a video of this story on YouTube!
I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories. I work hard to provide tools and supports for those who want to learn. Please, consider buying me a taco to support my work! You can also find me on Venmo and PayPal @Small Town Spanish Teacher!
