Hummingbirds and the Forest Fire (Modified)

Please read the original store here first.

I would change the ending of the story a little.

After the Hummingbird said ‘I know I can’t put out the fire, but I must do my part.’, there was no miracle. The jaguar sniggered at the hummingbird’s futile attempt and went on his way. But there were many animals who had this same conversation with the hummingbird.

Some sniggered and left, like the jaguar. But a few helped, in whatever way they could. And as more animals chose to help, it became easier for other animals to also join.

And eventually there were enough animals working together to be able to extinguish the fire. And all animals were saved - including the ones who sniggered.

But… the animals that worked did not shame the ones who sniggered. Because they recognized that they too were bystanders until it felt safe for them to pitch in. And there can be those who have been hurt so much that they never feel safe to pitch in.

Or who knows, maybe one day they will. And when that day comes, they should feel welcome, not shamed; accepted, not ridiculed.