The Legend of the Toh Bird

Have you ever heard the mysterious song of the Toh bird in the Yucatan jungle? This colorful bird is not only a wonder to behold but also hides a great secret. Here we tell you the incredible legend behind this magical bird, “The Legend of the Toh Bird.”

THE TOH BIRD

It’s a bird with colorful plumage, and adventurers use it as a guide to discover hidden Cenotes in the middle of the jungle in the Yucatan Peninsula. This beautiful bird shelters and builds its nests in the limestone rock of the Cenotes. But… the Toh Bird hides a great secret…

ROYALTY In ancient times, the Toh bird was part of royalty, living in the kingdom of birds, and back then, its plumage was not as it is now. It had a long, shiny, feathered tail that was so beautiful that the Toh bird was admired by other birds. The admiration was so great that it became arrogant, conceited, and proud. It did not work on the grounds that its beautiful plumage would spoil. It ate only the best, and since it did not work, the other birds did everything possible to please it, but it was never satisfied with the efforts of others.

THE STORM

One afternoon, the wise owl warned that a great storm was coming, a phenomenon that only occurred every 50 years. For this reason, all the birds held an emergency meeting, agreeing that everyone would help build shelters to survive such a threatening storm. Each bird had a specific task:

• The woodpecker, toucans, parrots, and parakeets were tasked with cutting branches for the structure of the shelters.
• The wild turkey, chachalacas, and guajolotes carried heavy branches.
• Small birds gathered grass and small dry branches to cover the shelters and also collected fruits to survive the great storm.

As expected, the Toh Bird refused to work, claiming it was not a laborer. The other birds warned that if it did not help, it would be left without shelter and could die. With great laziness and reluctantly, it joined the others to “help” build the shelters. A few minutes later, when no one was watching, exhausted from not being used to working, it took shelter in a small hole located in a cave. However, the space was so small that its beautiful tail with colorful plumage was left hanging in the open, and it fell asleep. The storm lasted a day and a night, and the next day the sun announced the end of such a terrifying storm.

THE LESSON

All the birds came out of their shelters, and the Toh bird was no exception. Thinking that everything would return to normal, it flew to the royal garden, to the highest point, where it always boasted its beautiful plumage. Meanwhile, all the birds began to laugh. The Toh bird had lost its beautiful plumage, and only two feathers were left at the end of its tail. Embarrassed, it went to a distant place in the middle of the jungle, found a small hole, and took shelter in it.

To this day, the Toh bird shelters in those small holes located in the rocks that form the cenotes. Its beautiful plumage never returned to normal, and its main job is to guide adventurers to the Cenotes. The legend of the Toh bird teaches us about humility and teamwork. It reminds us that true beauty is found in our character and how we treat others. What inspires you about this story? Share your thoughts with us and discover more about the rich culture and natural wonders of Yucatan.

Check out “The Legend of Xtabay” It will blow your mind.