GUATEMALA S BIRD OF FREEDOM. 1 69 



will doubtless continue to be repeated for many generations 

 to come. 



Once upon a time, so runs the story, there came a great 

 man to the land of the Maya. His name was Quezalcoatl, 

 and he was noble to behold and had a great heart. He 

 was born far away in theXand of the Sunrise, Tlapallan, 

 which lies across the seas and never is darkened. 



His face was fair, and he had shining eyes. A full 

 beard flowed to his breast, and his look was the look of 

 calmness and peace. 



L/Ong he waited in the sunland of Tlapallan, till the 

 right time. Then he crossed the sea. His canoe was a 

 mighty seashell, and it was blown over the deep as foam 

 is blown along from ridge to ridge of the rollers. So he 

 landed on Mexico's shore. 



Clothed in pure white, he wandered through the land. 

 He asked no sacrifice of beast or man for his altar. He 

 accepted offerings only of flowers and fruits. Gentleness, 

 friendship and love were all that he preached. 



Where he trod, the earth rejoiced. Green lay his path 

 behind him. Barren lands became rich, rich lands became 

 prodigal. Cotton sprang up everywhere. Maize grew to 

 such dimensions that a man could carry only one ear at a 

 time. Fruit filled the land with its fragrance. 



Wherever Quezalcoatl appeared, the air became filled 

 with the perfume of flowers, and birds of amazing beauty 

 flew through it. 



So sweetly did they sing that men's souls melted when 

 they heard. Warriors laid their weapons aside and 

 kneeled to listen. Enemies forgave each other. War and 

 hatred disappe3T'="d from the world and there were only 

 love and the song of the birds. 



- Most glorious of the birds was this one. It shone scar- 

 let, and that was its dear breast. It shone green, and that 



