The heron and the hummingbird share a close friendship, despite their stark differences. The heron is large and moves at a leisurely pace, while the hummingbird is small and known for its remarkable speed. Residing near a vast lake, the birds delight in feasting on its plentiful fish. However, one day the hummingbird becomes concerned that the fish supply is insufficient for both of them. In response, the hummingbird proposes a race to the old tree by the river, suggesting that the winner will claim all the fish in the lake, leaving the loser without any. Despite being aware of the hummingbird's superior speed, the kind-hearted heron agrees to participate in the race. The hummingbird is confident in their victory, relying on their exceptional swiftness. However, will the hummingbird's extraordinary speed be enough to secure a win in the race?

Audiobook:

The Heron and the Hummingbird

The heron and the hummingbird lived near a big lake. They were good friends, but they were very different. Heron was tall, strong, and slow, and Hummingbird was small and very fast.

Heron and Hummingbird loved to eat fish from the lake. Heron liked the big fish, and Hummingbird liked the little fish.

One day Hummingbird said to Heron, 'There are not enough fish in the lake for you and me. Let's have a race. Let's fly for four days to the old tree near the river. The winner of the race can have all the fish in the lake, but the loser must never eat fish again.'

Now Hummingbird was much faster than Heron, and he knew he could win the race easily. But Heron was a kind bird, and he didn't like to say no to anyone.

'That's a good idea,' he said.

The next morning, Heron and Hummingbird met at the lake.

'Good morning, my friend,' said Heron.

'You think you can fly faster than me, do you, Heron?' Hummingbird laughed. 'Remember, we are going to fly to the old tree near the river. The winner of the race can have all the fish in the lake, but the loser must never eat fish again.'

'Are you ready, Heron?' said Hummingbird. 'Three, two, one... Go!' he cried, and the two birds flew up above the lake.

Heron flew slowly, but he didn't look down. His long wings never stopped moving. He just flew and flew.

Hummingbird flew very fast, but he was soon bored. Every time he saw a pretty flower, he flew down and drank from it.

Sometimes, when Hummingbird drank from the flowers, Heron flew ahead of him. When Hummingbird saw this, he flew quickly after Heron, and soon he was in front again.

'Why don't you fly faster?' Hummingbird called to Heron. 'Then you can drink from the flowers too!'

Hummingbird looked at Heron behind him, and laughed.

'I'm going to win this race easily!' he thought.

Flap! Flap! Flap!

Flutter! Flutter! Flutter!

All day the birds flew. Heron flew slowly, but he was strong and he never stopped. Hummingbird flew fast, but he went up and down, up and down.

At last evening came. Hummingbird was tired, so he found a good place in a tree and stopped for the night.

'Heron is very slow,' he thought. 'I can soon fly ahead of him in the morning.'

And soon he fell asleep.

Heron didn't stop.

Flap! Flap! Flap! He flew all night.

The big white moon shone on the trees below, but Heron didn't look down. He just flew and flew.

'Good morning, my friend,' said Heron. Hummingbird flew ahead and looked back.

'Aren't you tired, Heron?' he laughed. 'I had a very good sleep - and I'm in front of you again!'

Flap! Flap! Flap! All the second day, the big heron flew, and he never stopped or looked down.

Flutter! Flutter! Flutter! The little hummingbird flew up and down, up and down. He stopped and drank from the pretty flowers, and then he flew ahead of Heron once more.

On the second night, Hummingbird slept in a tree again, but Heron flew all night.

And on the third day, Hummingbird flew in front of Heron again. He drank from the flowers and then fluttered near the big bird.

'Aren't you tired, Heron?' he called. 'Don't you want to stop?'

On the third night, Hummingbird stopped in another tree.

'We're nearly at the river now,' he thought. 'In the morning I can fly ahead of Heron. I can fly to the old tree and win the race. Then I can eat all the fish in the lake!'

Heron was tired. But he felt a little wind on his wings, and he didn't stop. He just flew all night.

Flap! Flap! Flap!

Hummingbird slept well again, and the next morning he felt good.

'I'm going to win the race today!' he laughed, and he flew after Heron.

But it was very windy, and Hummingbird couldn't fly well. He fluttered his wings faster and faster but the wind pushed him back.

'Where's Heron?' he thought. But he couldn't see Heron anywhere.

Then Hummingbird saw the old tree. The old tree near the river.

And at the top of the tree, he saw... Heron. Heron was the winner!

'I am much faster than you!' Hummingbird said to Heron. 'How did you get here? How did you win?'

'I flew all night,' said Heron. 'You drank from the flowers and you slept. But I felt the wind coming and I never stopped. This morning I arrived at the old tree. I'm tired and hungry, but I'm the winner.'

So after that, Hummingbird never ate fish again. He flew around the pretty flowers all day, and drank from them.

He and Heron were still good friends. But now Heron had all the fish in the lake. He was very happy.

And this is why now, herons everywhere eat fish, and hummingbirds drink from flowers.

- THE END -