Drawing from an Andean folk tale, this story is designed to inspire children to take action for the environment.
A massive fire breaks out in a thick forest, forcing all the animals to flee their homes in panic. Reaching the bank of a nearby stream, they stop and watch the blazing inferno, overcome with despair and hopelessness. Every creature laments the destruction of their habitat, convinced there is nothing they can do to stop the flames—except for a single small hummingbird.
In spite of the overwhelming situation, this persistent hummingbird chooses to act. Over and over, it dives into the stream to gather a few water droplets, then flies back to the burning forest and releases the water onto the fire. It repeats this cycle without stopping. The other animals, astonished by its determination, try to talk it out of its efforts, saying things like, "It's useless, you're far too small, your wings could catch fire, your beak is much too little, a single drop won't make any difference."
As the animals ridicule the hummingbird’s seemingly pointless actions, the bird takes note of their hopelessness. One creature mocks, "What do you hope to accomplish?" Without a moment's hesitation, the hummingbird answers, "I am doing what I can."