A little humingbird is lost and visits several Costa Rican Volcanoes.

1. Written and illustrated
by Yendry Rojas Zúñiga

2. It is a cloudy morning at some place in Alajuela. Meli Hummingbird stands in a
Copey tree, she is really sad because she was taken from her nest and then left in an
unknown forest.
Meli flies to another big Copey tree to find the way to get home, but the only thing
she sees is a sign with a weird statement for her, it says: “Welcome to Poás Volcano”.
I don´t remember the volcano name where
my family lives – Meli Hummingbird thinks- I only
know that my father once said that our volcano is
the highest one in the country.
I will never find my home – rapidly Meli gives
up- I´ll have to stay here because I have no idea
where my volcano is, maybe it is too far and it is
impossible for me to fly by myself, it can be
dangerous.
The lost little bird feels she cannot continue
anymore and decided to stay in that tree with no
idea about what to do.
Then, Meli remembered what her mother
always says: “Hummingbirds are courageous birds
and face any situation with the best attitude”.

3. Suddenly, Ms Quetzal stands next to her and asks – What are
you doing here little bird? You must be lost. Yes Ms Quetzal – Meli
answers – I´m looking for my family, they are the most beautiful birds
and live near the highest volcano.
Then, Ms Quetzal adds – I´m afraid I don´t know
your parents because we, Quetzal family, are the most
beautiful birds. And this volcano, as you can see, is the
most wonderful one; the acid rain has made many
trees and animals disappear, but it is still really
attractive and magnificent. However, this is not the
highest volcano. I´m sorry, I can´t help you – And Ms
Quetzal quickly went away flying.
At that time, Meli Hummingbird realizes she has
to continue looking for home.
Mommy is right – Meli thinks – if I´m lost, I´m capable enough to find my way
home. I´m sure that soon, I´ll be with my lovely family again. I can ask someone to
give me some information to get to my volcano.

4. And after flying for hours, she gets to a high volcano with a terrific lake and
many trees where several birds live. Thus, Meli flies to a Níspero tree where she
can descry Mr Parakeet, he is really concentrated looking at the pleasing paradise.
Excuse me Mr Parakeet – Meli Hummingbird interrupts – Is this
the highest volcano? Do you know family? They are the most beautiful
birds.
Many questions from an inquisitive little bird – Mr
Parakeet replies looking disinterested – First of all, this is the
Arenal Volcano, we are in San Carlos and… - Doubtfully, Mr
Parakeet stops – this is not the highest volcano, this is the
youngest and most wonderful one.
And, by the way – he continues – we, Parakeet
family, are the most beautiful birds. – And without giving
Meli Hummingbird chance to say something, he argues
he is in the enjoying nature time and cannot help her
anymore.
This attitude makes the unlucky little bird decides
to keep flying to a different place.

5. After a tiring and long trip, as the night falls, Meli stands in a Guanacaste tree
and quickly falls asleep. Next, in the morning, the little hummingbird hears a bird
flying around the enormous Guanacaste tree. And, unexpectedly, a flamboyant
Toucan shows up and immediately says – Welcome to our Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
in Guanacaste; as you can appreciate, this volcano has several craters and peaks,
many great trees and friendly animals... – Meli interrupts – Is this the highest volcano?
I´m aware you´re not a visitor – Ms Toucan says – you´re lost. Poor little bird!
Where is your house? How can I help you? – Those many questions make Meli
remember what Mr Parakeet said about many questions from an inquisitive little or
big bird. And taking advantage of that kindness, Meli asks again – Is this the highest
volcano? Do you know my family? They are the most beautiful birds.
And with a mocking laugh, Ms Toucan answers – I´m sorry, this is not the
highest volcano, this is the most delightful one you can visit and… - Shaking her
colorful beak, she adds – we, Tucan family, are the most beautiful birds.
Consequently, Meli hummingbird
understood that many questions and
many answers sometimes mean time
to leave. And, saying thanks and good
bye, she got away flying.

6. The unfortunate little hummingbird feels really tired and
depressed because finding her family is becoming harder and
almost impossible, nobody knows about her volcano. And giving
her best effort, Meli finally gets to another place, she can see a
three-crater volcano; but she is still unsecure if that is the volcano
she is looking for. At that moment, she
perceives a big bird eating something at the top
of an Encino tree; it is Mr Hawk tasting a
delicious piece of meat. Meli Hummingbird
carefully gets closer and asks – Is this the
highest volcano? Do you know my family? They
are the most beautiful birds.
Saucy little bird – Mr Hawk responds
angrily – This is Turrialba volcano in Cartago,
the place you should leave now, in case you
want to keep safe. I don´t like little birds or… I
like them too much – while he shows his sharp
claws. With this, the frightened little bird clearly
comprehended the message and decided to fly
away as fast as possible.

7. And as Meli is going to safer place, she cannot understand
why Mr Hawk is so angry and embittered in an awesome place
like Turrialba Volcano.
After, the bewildered little bird flies a couple of minutes
more and gets to the most amazing place she had ever seen,
she notices she is still in Cartago. Meli sees several trees and a
high volcano with five craters; now she is sure that it is the
highest volcano she has been looking for.
In fact, Meli is right; she has arrived to
Irazú volcano, the highest one in Costa Rica.
Even though, there are not many animals in
the area, it is the perfect place for Meli
Hummingbird. She was able to fly for hours
and finally could get home

8. Then, Meli recognizes a gorgeous Jaul tree and she fast flies to stand in one
of its branches as the time she realizes that incredibly she is finally at home. But
the tears are about to come out of her eyes because neither Daddy nor Mommy
Hummingbird are there. – They must have left, they didn´t wait for me – Even
sadder, Meli says.
The tears cloud Meli´s vision, but she can descry
to little birds who are getting closer, and seeing better,
they look like the most beautiful birds. In fact, they are
Daddy and Mommy Hummingbird who, extremely
happy to have their baby back; welcome Meli with a
delicious fruit meal and a warm nest.
The blessed little hummingbird is now joyful to be
with her beautiful family again and in the most
enjoyable and highest volcano.
And this is the ever told story of a brave little
hummingbird who had unforgettable experiences in
some of the most amazing volcanoes.