The Heron and the Hummingbird
'Let's have a race', the hummingbird said to the heron. But who was the winner? This richly illustrated series of retold fairy tales for children aged 5-12 years old will bring an extra dimension to your English teaching. With listening, speaking, reading, writing, and drama activities, Classic Tales graded readers make it easy for you to create complete language lessons around a popular and engaging traditional tale.
Story Summary
The Unlikely Friends
By a big lake lived two very different birds who were good friends: Heron and Hummingbird. Heron was tall, strong, and moved slowly with long wing flaps. Hummingbird was tiny, quick, and fluttered his wings rapidly. Both loved eating fish from the lake - Heron preferred big fish while Hummingbird enjoyed small ones. Despite their differences, they got along well until one day Hummingbird noticed there weren't enough fish for both of them.
The Challenge
Hummingbird proposed a four-day race to an old tree near the river, with high stakes: the winner would get all the fish in the lake, while the loser could never eat fish again. Confident in his speed, Hummingbird knew he could easily beat the slow Heron. Kind-hearted Heron agreed to the race despite the unfair advantage. The next morning at the lake, Hummingbird teased Heron about his slowness before counting down: "Three, two, one... Go!" Both birds took off above the water.
Different Flying Styles
Heron flew steadily with slow wing flaps, never stopping or looking down. Hummingbird darted ahead but kept getting distracted by pretty flowers, stopping to drink nectar. Each time Heron passed him, Hummingbird would zoom ahead again, laughing at Heron's slow pace. At night, Hummingbird slept comfortably in trees while Heron flew continuously under the moonlight. For three days this pattern continued - Hummingbird racing ahead but stopping often, while Heron maintained his slow but constant flight.
The Surprising Finish
On the final morning, Hummingbird woke refreshed, certain of victory. But strong winds made flying difficult for his small body, while Heron's steady wings carried him forward. When Hummingbird reached the old tree, he was shocked to find Heron already there. Heron explained he had flown all night without stopping, feeling the helpful wind. Though tired and hungry, Heron had won through perseverance, while Hummingbird's distractions and overconfidence cost him the race.
The New Way of Life
True to their agreement, Hummingbird never ate fish again and instead drank nectar from flowers all day. Heron happily enjoyed all the fish in the lake. Remarkably, their friendship survived the competition. The story explains why herons today are fish-eaters who fly steadily, while hummingbirds flit among flowers for nectar. It teaches that consistency and perseverance often win over speed and talent when combined with distraction, and that true friendship can withstand challenges.
Story Vocabulary Quiz
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Story Quiz
Rachel Bladon
A Journey through Language and Literature
Meet Rachel Bladon, a dedicated teacher, skilled editor, and prolific writer with over two decades of experience in the field of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Her journey has taken her across continents, from Europe to Asia, where she has left an indelible mark on the world of language education.
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