One day,the Great Spirit who guarded the Mayan world told the birds that they must choose a king.
Almost every bird thought it should be king. The only bird that stayed quiet was the quetzal. The quetzal wanted to be king, but his feathers were a dull brown, and he looking quite plain. He didn't think anyone would choose him.
The quetzal went to the road-runner, a very colorful bird, and said, " Your feathers are beautiful, but you are too busy being the messenger of the roads to become king. Lend me your feathers. I'll return them after I become king, and I'll share the wealth and fame with you".
At first, the road-runner said no. But the quetzal would not stop asking him.
At last, the road- runner agreed.
One by one, the road-runner's feathers magically disappeared and then appeared on the clever quetzal's body. Soon, the quetzal's body and tail were a rich blue-green, his chest was bright red, and his beak had turned a lovely glowing yellow.