Back at the beginning of Creation the herons and the hummingbirds both ate fish and occasionally had to compete for their meals. Because their world was rather small and because they ate a lot more fish than the hummingbirds, the herons became concerned that there might not be enough fish for both species to live on forever.

It was determined that the heron and hummingbird would fly a race to The Big Pond on the other side of the world. Whoever caught the first fish in the Big Pond would win and the other species would have to find something other than fish to eat.

The hummingbird was certain he would win, but along the way he discovered a whole new species of stunning flowers that lured him off the route. He spent most of his time dining on the sweetest nectar he had ever thought to savor. On the sixth day he was so full he could not take another sip so he found a pile of Spanish moss and dropped, exhausted and engorged. When the sun shone in his eyes from straight above him the next day, the hummingbird felt the first pangs of uncertainty about winning the race.

When at last the hummingbird reached the edge of The Big Pond and was about to dive for his prize-winning fish, a large splash erupted from the pond and up came the head of the heron, holding a very large sardine in his beak.

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The hummingbird hung his head, ashamed of himself. He had let his greed for new tastes and fun over come his goal. But as he humbled himself for a moment, a sudden thought occurred to him and he smiled at the heron.

Then he remembered all the wonderful nectar he had discovered and told the heron that everything would be fine. The herons would have plenty of fish and the hummingbirds would savor the tasty nectar of all those flowers.

The heron and hummingbird nodded and smiled at one another. Indeed, they had both won.