“Holding Up the Sky"

A Tale from China

One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying flat on its back on the ground.  The bird’s tiny feet were raised up in the air.

“What on earth are you doing, Hummingbird?” asked the elephant.

The hummingbird replied, “I have heard that the sky might fall today.  If that should happen, I am ready to do my part in holding it up.”

The elephant laughed and mocked the tiny bird.  “Do you think that THOSE little feet could hold up the sky?”

“Not alone,” admitted the hummingbird. “But each of us must do what he can.  And this is what I can do.”

Reprinted with permission from

Peace Tales: World Folktales to Talk About

by Margaret Read MacDonald