The legend of the Kondor and the Hummingbird.....

FEELING AT ONE WITH THE SKY's PURITY, looking towards the Earth and all its confines, he said : "I AM THE KING OF THE BIRDS." As soon as THESE WORDS LEFT HIS MOUTH, he FELT SOMETHING UNUSUAL BENEATH HIS FEATHERS, and without knowing what it was,
SPUN AROUND SWIFTLY.  In that instant the HUMMINGBIRD FLEW OUT from beneath his feathers and PROUDLY PROCLAIMED to him : "YOU ARE THE KING OF THE BIRDS, but
I  FLY THE HIGHEST."
As soon as the competition began, the HUMMINGBIRD HAD APPROACHED the KONDOR, and ACTUALLY HID HIMSELF AMONG the KONDOR's  FEATHERS,  thereby USING the KONDOR AS HIS OWN VEHICLE INTO THE SKY UP TO THE HEIGHTS OF WIRACOCHA.
The COMPLICITY of these TWO BIRDS is PRESENTED in THIS STORY. For THIS REASON
the KONDOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN LINKED TO THE HUMMINGBIRD,  and BOTH ARE
REPRESENTED IN ANDEAN SYMBOLISM.
                                                      
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                                                                          The End

Without a doubt the KONDOR is the BIRD that SURPASSES the LIMITS OF ONE's OWN MIND
and IS CAPABLE OF SURPASS THE EARTLY LIMITS, ENABLING OTHER BEINGS TO BE ELEVATED.
The ANDEAN PEOPLE RECOGNIZES WIRACOCHA's INTENTIONS for THIS BIRD, and as a result, in myths and legends about WIRACOCHA's DESCENT TO EARTH, it was the KONDOR that BROUGHT AND GUIDED HIM AMONG THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS.

LEGEND OF THE KONDOR AND THE HUMMINGBIRD CONTINUE...

They reached ONE THOUSAND METERS  and ALMOST ALL WERE SEEN FLYING IN PAIRS. They continued TWO THOUSAND METERS, and SOME FELL BEHIND, UNABLE
TO PASS THE SMALLER MOUNTAINS.
The AIR at THREE THOUSAND METERS was MUCH THINNER, and many VALLEY and
COASTAL BIRDS WEAKENED  for LACK of OXIGEN.
At  FOUR THOUSAND METERS the SEVERE EFFECTS of the HIGH ALTITUDE FORCED
OTHER BIRDS to GIVE UP. Nevertheless, they felt PROUD FOR HAVING PARTICIPATED in this HONORABLE EVENT ON BEHALF OF THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
NOW ONLY THE STRONGEST and MOST FIT BIRDS of the kingdom REMAINED in the competition.
FIVE THOUSAND METERS coincided with DESOLATE, SNOWCAPPED MOUNTAINS, and
GLIMPSES OF THE ETERNAL SNOWS OF OTHERS IN THE HORIZON;  the EAGLES,
FALCONS, HAWKS, KESTRELS and others of these same families STILL COMMANDED the
CELESTIAL ALTITUDES, whereas FAMILIES OF OWLS HA REACHED THEIR LIMITS and were left to observe these and higher limits of the sky.
At SIX THOUSAND METERS ALMOST ALL BIRDS HAD BEEN LEFT BEHIND EXCEPT the
EAGLE and the KONDOR who CONTINUED FLYING HIGHER with GRANDEUR and
SERENITY CHARACTERISTIC OF THEIR LINEAGE.
When they reached SEVEN THOUSAND METERS and taller snowcapped mountains, the EAGLE's
BEAUTY BEGAN TO DARKEN from the distance and AS DID HIS CHANCES TO REIGN THE KINGDOM.
The KONDOR CONTINUED, CALM  and UNAFFECTED, and SMILED an inner smile as HE CELEBRATED HIS PRESENCE AMONG THE HIGHEST PEAKS OF THE EARTH.

LEGEND OF THE KONDOR AND THE HUMMINGBIRD...

The INTENSE PRESSURE FORCED THE KONDOR TO ACCEPT, but HE PROCLAIMED ONCE AGAIN that "He was the the king and the one that could fly the highest."
The SIGNAL WAS GIVEN and all the BIRDS WERE READY TO START. The HUMMIN-
BIRD approached the KONDOR one last time and said "YOU ARE 'KING OF THE BIRDS' and I
admire you for that, but I FLY THE HIGHEST." The KONDOR smiled and said to him, "DEAR HUMMINGBIRD OF THE VALLEYS and MEDOWS,  YOUR VERY PRESENCE INSPIRES ME AND YOUR SIZE REVEALS TO ME THE GREATNESS OF YOUR SPIRIT, but the great
WIRACOCHA SOWED WITHIN ME THE POWER TO REIGN IN THIS WORLD and IT IS I THAT FLIES THE HIGHEST."
The FOX had been LISTENING INTENTLY and QUIETLY to this interchange, and BEFORE long
REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE KONDOR AS THE JUDGE of competition.  The instant THE COMPETITION BEGAN, the multicolor FIELD OF BIRDS came alive LIKE A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN as they ALL EXTENDED THEIR FEATHERS, POISED and READY TO ENTER INTO COMMUNION WITH EACH OTHER AND THE SKY.
The KONDOR WAITED FOR A SWIFT WIND TO PROPEL HIMSELF UPWARD INTO THE AIR. With a STRONG and STEADY MOVEMENT of HIS WINGS, HE LEFT THE GROUND, and IN THAT MOMENT the HUMMINGBIRD WITH HIS GOLDEN COURAGE SPREAD HIS
WINGS and within a blink of the eye FLEW very CLOSE TO THE KONDOR and DISAPPEARED
At that point ALL the BIRDS were IN THE AIR, each one demonstrating their flying abilities, shar-
ing the desire to be crowned "king."  SOME cheerfully and freely GLIDED IN THE AIR ; OTHERS TOOK ADVANTAGE of the WIND's DIRECTION and STRENGTH.  SOME FLEW TOWARD
the SUN, and OTHERS, CALLED ON the STRENGTH of PACHAMAMA ( MOTHER EARTH),
were ABLE TO SURPASS THEIR OWN PERSONAL LIMITATIONS.  ALL FLEW WITH VITALITY, PROUDLY REPRESENTING THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

Legend of the Kondor and the Hummingbird continue...

The DAY ARRIVED and BEFORE DAWN all the BIRDS had already GATHERED ON A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF FATHER SUN. The preparation and gossip that permeated this HUGE CONCENTRATION were plagued with comments and criticism
about the ARROGANCE and PRIDE of some.
All were present, even the Kondor. The FIRST SUN's RAYS LIT UP THE NERBY HILLS, and a COOL BREEZE characteristic of ANDEAN DAWNS was felt. Already some birds were celebrating the SLIGHT WARMTH that would grow slowly as FATHER SUN ROSE over their heads.
The EVENT WAS WORTHY OF RECORDING AS A CELESTIAL FICTION where the most fascinating COLORS, SHAPES, and SINGING were INTERMINGLED this MORNING.
The DAY HAD BEGUN and the arrival of THIS GREAT MOMENT stirred the EMOTIONS OF ALL who were present. The KONDOR's PRESENCE commanded RESPECT and no one dared to challenge the fact that HE WAS THE JUDGE OF THE EVENT.
All BIRDS were READY when suddenly, as if JUMPING OUT of the AIR, the HUMMINGBIRD
APPEARED. He had just HEARD that the KONDOR would NOT PARTICIPATE in the event because HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF  "King of the BIRDS and the one that COULD FLY the
HIGHEST," a comment the HUMMINGBIRD found believable for a BIRD OF SUCH INCREDI-
BLE SIZE and POWER.
With HIS DELICATE WINGS the HUMMINGBIRD FORCED HIS WAY THROUGH, and posi-
tioning himself IN FRONT OF THE KONDOR, REBUKED HIM saying that HE, TOO, WAS A
BIRD and such he should HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE TRUE.
In all HIS HUMBLENESS the HUMMINGBIRD said that he ACCEPTED THAT THE KONDOR
WAS "King of the Birds," but, that HE, the HUMMINGBIRD, COULD FLY THE HIGHEST.
After hearing this the OTHERS felt confident and capable of INSISTING THAT THE KONDOR
PARTICIPATE.

LEGEND OF THE KONDOR AND THE HUMMINGBIRD continue...

The FOX explained the REASONS and MOTIVES for the INVITATION. To the KONDOR it SEEMED REASONABLE that the CELESTIAL BIRDS ORGANIZE THEIR OWN ORDER, but
he also said HE WOULD NOT PARTICIPATE because HE and only he WAS the "KING OF THE BIRDS."
NO other BIRD could possibly COMPETE WITH HIS MAJESTY or ABILITY TO SOAR the SKIES since NO other BIRD COULD ELEVATE ITSELF TO THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN PEAKS.
The KONDOR made it very clear that HE WAS THE "KING OF THE BIRDS" and also the
"ONE THAT FLIES THE HIGHEST." The Kondor advised the Fox : "BELOVED FOX, YOU HAVE BEEN WITH ME DURING THIS GREAT BANQUET, PLEASE COMMUNICATE MY
RESPONSE TO THE CELESTIAL CHILDREN AND TELL THEM THAT  'I ALREADY AM
THE KING OF THE BIRDS AND I AM THE ONE THAT FLIES THE HIGHEST,' and that I do not need to compete. Perhaps among them THERE WILL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AIR
but I AM THE KING. I would BE GLAD to do the FAVOR OF SERVING AS JUDGE for the
competition if they so DESIRE, and if they do so desire, HAVE THEM SEND YOU again TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE TO ME.
The Fox returned to the other birds of the kingdom and delivered the Kondor's message. Upon hearing
what the Kondor had said, THEY FELT DISRESPECTED. THEY FELT LIMITED AND CUT DOWN IN THEIR VIRTUES, but REALIZED THAT THEIR ONLY OPTION WAS TO GIVE IN. So, with the BIRDS' INSTRUCTION, the FOX told the KONDOR that his offer had been accepted, that THEY WANTED HIM TO JUDGE THE COMPETITION, and that HIS PRESENCE
WOULD BE HIGHLY ESTEEMED.

Legend of the KONDOR and the HUMMINGBIRD continue..

Since a BIRD's VIRTUE IS TO RISE ABOVE THE MOUNTAINS, SUSTAINED ONLY BY WIND and SUN, the privilege of being crowned KING OF THE BIRDS WOULD BE BESTOWED
UPON THE BIRD THAT COULD FLY THE HIGHEST.
They concurred with this suggestion and decided that ALL BIRDS IN THE KINGDOM WOULD BE INVITED to a COMPETITION to demonstrate their flying abilities. THE DATE for this import-
ant GATHERING was set of THE EIGHTH MONTH at THE EIGHT o' clock in the MORNING.
ALL BIRDS of the Earth would be summoned to COME TOGETHER on THAT DAY. As there was sufficient time for individual practicing, no bird could allege that they were not given enough advanced notice.
The SEAGULL WAS CHOSEN TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE EARTH TO COMMUNICATE THE WISE BIRDS' DECISION. He completed this mission almost to perfection,
with the exception that HE COULD NOT LOCATE THE KONDOR.
The SEAGULL HAD NO CHOICE but to SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE LORDS OF THE LAND. The LORDS of the LAND instructed the SEAGULL TO FIND the FOX, because only the
FOX COULD DELIVER A MESSAGE TO THE KONDOR about the competition where one deserving bird would be crowned king of the birds.
The FOX ASCENDED INTO THE MOUNTAINS IN SEARCH OF THE KONDOR and SAW
IN THE DEPTHS OF THE CLIFFS A DARK SILHOUETTE with white bands. It was the KONDOR who HAD GONE DOWN INTO THE VALLEY FOR WATER, and now satisfy, was
RETURNING TO HIS extraordinary PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE. As the KONDOR FLEW upward out of the valley, HE SPOTTED THE FOX. The FOX had just finished eating and was
WAITING WITH THE ONLY HOPE THAT THE KONDOR WOULD SENSE THE SMELL OF THE ANIMAL'S REMAINS. Upon SEEING this, the KONDOR DECIDED TO DESCEND to serve himself, and did not pay much attention to the Fox, who was already satisfied from a great banquet he was not able lo finish because of his size. After the KONDOR FINISHED EATING, the
FOX APPROACHED him and told him that the BIRDS of the EARTH had SUMMONED ALL BIRDS IN THE KINGDOM to be present for the identification and crowning of their king.
The KONDOR DID NOT LISTEN TO THE FOX'S WORDS and APPEARED COMPLETELY
DISINTERESTED.

LEGEND OF THE KONDOR AND THE HUMMINGBIRD

The PARROT of the AMAZON VALLEY ha insinuated to THE BIRDS in HIS KINGDOM that he
was ADMIRED all over the world for his beautiful COLORS, and that he DESERVED TO REPRESENT ALL LIVING CREATURES THAT MOVED THROUGH THE SKY, since A CREST OF FEATHERS LIKE HIS  could only be found   IN THE  TEMPLES OF FATHER WIRACOCHA.
He ALSO SUGGESTED that the CHILDREN OF THE SUN COMMUNED WITH THE SEVEN DIVINE RAYS and agreed that the great PARROT DESERVED TO BE CELESTIAL KING.
Such chatter spread far and wide to the ears of OTHER BIRDS IN THE KINGDOM, and was regarded as HARMLESS ATTEMPTS OF SUPERIORITY in his own limitations. They TRIED TO
DISREGARD THE PAPAGAYO's declarations, but the SEEDS OF PRIVILEGE,  PRIDE, and
EGO had already SPROUTED inside THEIR HEARTS. They began to FEEL ANXIOUS TO REPRESENT THEIR OWN ROYALTY and CREATED among THEMSELVES AN ANARCHY
where not even the EAGLE received any respect.
The NATURAL CELESTIAL ORDER WAS BROKEN and BIRDS FLEW CHAOTICALLY in the sky, HUNTING unnecessarily  and DESTROYING THE LAND.  As newly ALLIED FLOCKS
OF BIRDS EMERGED, the SKY GREW DARK and sown with TERROR and INSECURITY.
They ABUSED THEIR FREEDOM and the MOUNTAINS and VALLEYS were FILLED WITH
SADNESS.
It was TIME TO PRAY TO THE GODS for a DIVINE MESSENGER TO RESTORE
ORDER TO THE LAND. But the WISE BIRD'S CRIES WERE NOT CONSIDERED and the
HEAVENS DISREGARDED THEIR REQUEST.
There must be another way to restore the natural order of the kingdom. But how?
At that moment THEY HEARD THE SONG OF THE SPARROW saying that THE TIME HAD COME TO SELECT A DESERVING REPRESENTATIVE TO INTERCEDE ON BEHALF OF
ALL BIRDS WITH THE CELESTIAL GODS.