A short story about a little hummingbird who is lost and visits some of the most wonderful volcanoes in Costa Rica.

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.

3. 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 rapidly went away
flying.
At that time, Meli Hummingbird
realizes she has to continue looking for
home.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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 Tucan 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 Tucan 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 Tucan 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. 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.
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;
however, she is

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, that is the perfect place
for Meli Hummingbird.

8. 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.
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.