A MAYAN FOLKTALE
THE KING OF THE BIRDS
One day,the Great Spirit who guarded the Mayan would 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 looked quite plain. he didn't think anyone would choose him.
the quetzal went to the road-runner,a vary colorful bird,and said Your feathers are beautiful but are you 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 quetza would not stop asking him. At last the road-runner agreed.
One by one the road-runner's feathers magically disappeared and then appered on the clever quetzal's body. soon the quetzal's body and tail were arich blue-green,his chest was brigth red, and his beak had turned a lovely glowing yellow.
The great spirit was very surprised by the quetzal's new beauty and chose him to be king of all the dirds. from that day on the quetzal's was so busy being king,he has to time return the road-runner's feathers. He soon forgot all about his promise to the road-runner.
Days later the other birds found the road-runner hiding deep in the forest. He had no feathers, and was very cold. He told the birds about the quetzal's promise
The birds felt sorry for the road-runner and each gave up a few feathers to cover him. That is way to day the road-runner's feathers are such an odd mix of drab and faded colors, and way he always watches the Mayan roads. He is still looking for the quetzal that took away his feathers.