one day, the Great Spirit who guarded the Mayan world told the birds must choose a king. Almost every bird thought it should be king. The only bird that stayed quiet the quetzal. The quetzal wanted to be king, but his feathers were a dulLbrown. and he looked 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 quetzals body and tail were a rich blue- green, his chest was bright 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 birds. From that day on, the quetzal was so busy being king, he had no time to 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 he 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 why, today, the road-runners feathers are such an odd mix of drab and faded colors, and why he always watches the Mayan roads. He is still looking for the quetzal that took away his