Coco Calling No.254 - The Most Popular of All

Many years ago, the people of Costa Rica were invited to vote for their country’s ‘National Bird.’ With well over 700 different species to choose from, everyone thought that one of the more colourful or charismatic species would come away with the title.  For example, how about one of the splendid Toucans?

No, he didn’t win. He was probably too nosey.

Or what about the stunning Green Honeycreeper?

No, he didn’t come anywhere close. He was felt to be too much of a poser.

Well, in that case, it had to be one of Costa Rica’s many hummingbirds.

But no, it wasn’t one of them either. Because they can fly backwards as well as forwards, too many of them went off in the wrong direction while the votes were being cast. No, quite extraordinarily, the title of ‘Costa Rica’s National Bird’ went to the very drab and demure Clay-coloured Thrush. And it didn’t win because of its appearance; no, it won because of its beautiful voice. Its song holds a special place in the hearts of many Costa Rican humans, meaning that it eclipsed all of the competition, including the showiest of all the showy birds.

So these humans in Costa Rica realised that what comes out of your inner heart and soul is far more important than how you look. That’s probably a lesson that humans need to learn in many other parts of the world. For when you have a little bit of God’s goodness inside, you can radiate and sparkle in a way that feathers can’t. Which is how a ninety-nine-year-old human can outshine a twenty-one year old model!

“Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.”

(Dolores del Rio: [1904 -  1983]: Mexican actress).

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment………instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”      

(1 Peter: 3: 3-4)